TH 
 
 WIRELESS 
 
 S TAT I O N -AT 
 
 SILVER^FOX 
 
 FARM 
 
 JAMES'OTIS
 
 FOR ONE INSTANT THE TWO LITERALLY HELD THEIR BREATH
 
 The Wireless Station at 
 Silver Fox Farm 
 
 BY 
 
 JAMES OTIS 
 
 I OF " AUNT HANNAH AND ! 
 "TWO STOWAWAYS," ETC. 
 
 AUTHOR OF AUNT HANNAH AND SETH," 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY COP ELAND 
 
 NEW YORK 
 THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY 
 
 PUBLISHERS
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1910, 
 BY THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.
 
 STACK 
 
 ANNO 
 
 5125809 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I. AN ODD BUSINESS i 
 
 II. THE STATION 20 
 
 III. FREEING THE FOXES 37 
 
 IV. THE FIRST MESSAGE 54 
 
 V. TELLTALE SIGNS 73 
 
 VI. A WELCOME ARRIVAL 92 
 
 VII. QUESTIONABLE VISITORS in 
 
 VIII. A QUESTION OF VERACITY . . . .130 
 
 IX. WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY 149 
 
 X. PATROLLING THE COAST 168 
 
 XL THE VICTIM 187 
 
 XII. A CONFESSION 206 
 
 XIII. A CRY FOR HELP 224 
 
 XIV. THE "NERA" 243 
 
 XV. THE SCHOONER 262 
 
 XVI. A MISCALCULATION 281 
 
 XVII. THE RESCUE 300 
 
 XVIII. SAM'S OUTBURST 318 
 
 XIX. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE 336 
 
 111
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 AN ODD BUSINESS 
 
 "WHO ever heard of raising foxes to sell?" and 
 Ned Bartlett gave way to mirth because the statement 
 made by his particular friend, Paul Simpson, seemed 
 to him absolutely ridiculous. 
 
 "But father doesn't count on raising such foxes as 
 are to be found around here. Why don't you wait to 
 hear all the details before feeling so funny?" and it 
 could readily be understood that Paul was considerably 
 more than vexed. 
 
 "If there are any details to the business of raising 
 foxes for the market, I'll be willing to wait a long while 
 in order to hear about them," and Ned scrambled up 
 on a pile of logs which had been rafted down from the 
 woods of northern Maine to be sawn into lumber in 
 the mills of Seaview, seating himself on the topmost 
 in the attitude of one who is ready to hear that which 
 he discredits before the hearing. 
 
 "Perhaps you have read about silver foxes, which 
 are to be found in Russia, Siberia, and I don't know 
 how many other places," Paul began, speaking almost 
 sharply, and Ned replied laughingly: 
 
 "I never even knew that foxes really wore silver 
 coats." 
 
 1
 
 2 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "Now don't try again to be funny," and one might 
 have believed that Paul's temper was strained to the 
 explosive point. "I'm not saying that they are really 
 the color of silver ; but the fur has a tint of bluish black, 
 with just enough white hairs mixed in to give it a 
 white sheen. At all events, a first-class pelt from a 
 so-called silver fox is worth more than two hundred 
 dollars, because " 
 
 "What?" 
 
 "That is a fact. You must know that even in the 
 countries where they are to be found wild, silver foxes 
 are far from being plentiful, and because of such fact 
 the pelts command a big price. Now my father has 
 contracted with a Russian fur trader for three pairs of 
 live foxes, and, what is more, he is to pay seven hun- 
 dred dollars for each couple." 
 
 "Seven Why, that is two thousand one hundred 
 dollars for six miserable foxes !" 
 
 "Yes, and a big lot of money must be spent before 
 they will raise young ones large enough to have mar- 
 ketable hides. It's a great business, when you come to 
 look it over," and now Paul spoke in a friendly, confi- 
 dential tone. "Father has bought, or leased, the whole 
 of Barren island, and it's there he counts on establish- 
 ing a fox farm." 
 
 "Barren island!" Ned exclaimed. "Why, that for- 
 saken spot is a full twenty miles straight out to sea 
 from here!" 
 
 "It is set down on the charts as just twenty-two 
 miles, if you insist on being geographically correct." 
 
 "But why does he go so far away from every-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 3 
 
 where?" Ned asked in surprise, now beginning to 
 fancy that perhaps there might be something savoring 
 of business in this scheme of raising silver foxes. 
 
 "In order that he may be able to protect the animals 
 while they are breeding, of course. What chance 
 would foxes have against dishonest hunters, if they 
 were penned up where anybody could come at them ?" 
 
 "It isn't impossible, if a person was eager for such 
 game, to go over to Barren island," Ned suggested; 
 and Paul replied : 
 
 "That is true; but an island can be guarded more 
 easily than could the same area on the mainland. 
 When a man invests twenty-one hundred dollars in 
 foxes, and jjpunts on spending twice or three times as 
 much more before he can get any returns from the 
 business, it stands him in hand to take every possible 
 precaution against loss." 
 
 "Does any one live on Barren island?" Ned asked 
 after a brief pause. 
 
 "Old Daniel Downs, his wife, and two sons. Father 
 has hired the whole family to take charge of the island. 
 The boys, Ernest and Sam, are to keep watch day and 
 night, after the foxes arrive, to prevent any one from 
 landing there." 
 
 "They can't stop a vessel from coming to anchor if 
 there is any harbor on the shore of the island," Ned 
 suggested, and Paul replied eagerly, as if he had been 
 on the point of referring to the same subject: 
 
 "Father believes the greatest danger will come from 
 a visit of that kind, therefore he hired the entire Downs 
 family as guards. Of course the master of a vessel
 
 4 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 has a right to make harbor at any place when stress of 
 weather demands it. Father realizes that the curiosity 
 of the people will be aroused when it is known that he 
 has started a fox farm, and it is reasonable to suppose 
 that yachtsmen visiting the Maine coast will heave to 
 off Barren island in order to see how such a place 
 looks. You can understand that the animals would 
 be disturbed so seriously that they might not become 
 domesticated, if the island was overrun with visitors." 
 
 "It won't be any easy job to prevent people from 
 going ashore there," Ned suggested as the difficulties 
 of the peculiar business began to present themselves. 
 
 "But that isn't the worst part of it," Paul cried, 
 pleased because his friend was displaying so much in- 
 terest in this odd method of making money from furs. 
 "Yachtsmen and curious people will come only in the 
 daytime and during fair weather ; but when it is gener- 
 ally known that the pelt of one of these foxes is worth 
 two hundred dollars or more, it is likely efforts will be 
 made by men who would not hesitate at committing a 
 crime, to kill and carry away the animals which have 
 cost father so much money. Such men would come 
 in foul weather instead of fair, and by night rather 
 than day. There is where the greatest danger to the 
 business will be found, and that is why father counts 
 on sending me to make certain the Downs family live 
 up to their orders." 
 
 "You ? You go to Barren island ? What could you 
 do toward preventing a gang of men from carrying 
 away the foxes, if they could find them?" Ned cried in 
 amazement.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 5 
 
 "Perhaps not very much single-handed," Paul re- 
 plied modestly; "but I can see to it that the Downs 
 family do their full duty, and I am able to run a power 
 boat fairly well." 
 
 "That little craft of yours wouldn't live an hour so 
 far at sea, when the weather was heavy." 
 
 "I am to have a 32-foot Hampton dory, with a 
 6-horsepower engine, and such a boat as that will live 
 where an ordinary yacht would founder," Paul replied 
 triumphantly. 
 
 "Well, say, your father is going into the business in 
 great shape ! I wish I might have a finger in the pie ; 
 but I won't even get a chance to see you on patrol in 
 your new craft !" Ned cried in a tone of envy. "Here 
 I am tied to this blooming old academy another year, 
 simply because I didn't buckle down to my books last 
 term as you did. I might have graduated all right if 
 I hadn't spent so much time with the fishermen while 
 you were plugging in great shape." 
 
 With his face buried in his hands, and his elbows on 
 his knees, Ned Bartlett gave himself up to mourning 
 over his wilful waste of time, as many another fellow 
 has done before him. 
 
 "Why not run over with my old dory in fair 
 weather and spend a Sunday now and then ?" 
 
 "It couldn't be done," Ned replied mournfully. "I 
 dropped so far behind in mathematics last year that I 
 don't dare take the chances of being caught on Barren 
 island in a storm and be forced to stay there two or 
 three days. I must graduate next spring, or stand dis- 
 graced before all my people. It was bad enough to
 
 6 THE W-IRELESS STATION 
 
 have failed last year. Another such exhibition of ig- 
 norance as I gave then would cause father and mother, 
 with good reason, to be ashamed of me." 
 
 "We might have had such a jolly time this summer 
 if you could go with me," Paul said in a low tone as if 
 simply giving words to his thoughts, and Ned cried 
 sharply : 
 
 "Don't ! There's no need to remind me that I made 
 all kinds of a fool of myself by idling away the time 
 while you fellows were working. I thought it was go- 
 ing to be mighty hard when I believed you would be 
 at home; but now! There isn't a fellow in this town 
 of Seaview, except you, whom I'd chum with, and 
 you're the same as running away from me!" 
 
 This was a reproach which Paul could not well af- 
 ford to let pass unheeded, and he replied quite hotly : 
 
 "It was you who ran away from me last fall when 
 the fishing fleet left port, and " 
 
 "Yes, and by making such a fool of myself I lost 
 all chance of passing the exams. I wish I had as many 
 legs as a spider, so that I might kick myself !" 
 
 "There's no sense in crying over spilt milk," Paul 
 said in a soothing tone as his friend gave way to vain 
 regrets. "Come with me, and we'll have one more 
 spin in the old dory. The Hampton boat is a much 
 better craft, of course; but I shan't get to liking her 
 as well as I do the one we've cruised in so many 
 times." 
 
 "Don't you count on coming over here from the isl- 
 and during the summer?" Ned asked in a mournful 
 tone as he followed his friend toward the pier.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 7 
 
 'Father thinks I ought not leave after the foxes have 
 been landed, unless he is there to take my place." 
 
 "When are you going?" 
 
 "Some time next week; as soon as the Hampton boat 
 arrives." 
 
 "And I shan't be able even to hear from you," Ned 
 said in a tone of deepest despair, and then, as he invol- 
 untarily glanced toward his home on the hill the ex- 
 pression of sorrow on his face suddenly gave way to 
 one of excitement. "Say, Paul, why won't it be possi- 
 ble for us to have a chat with each other every day ?" 
 
 "A chat with each other?" and Paul turned to face 
 his friend as if believing his senses had suddenly taken 
 flight. "It isn't probable we shall even see each other 
 during a full year. Father thinks I should be able to 
 stay on Barren island that length of time." 
 
 "Your, silver fox farm is only twenty-two miles 
 away, and with one of those on the island " 
 
 Ned interrupted himself to point at two tall spars 
 with their guys of wire, and a weblike antenna sus- 
 pended between them, which stood nearby his home. 
 
 "Why, Ned!" Paul cried in delight. "What a 
 chump I am not to have thought of such a scheme !" 
 
 "You helped me put up that apparatus, and I'll run 
 the risk of taking a week's vacation from the academy 
 to help you raise one like it on the island. Then, every 
 day at a certain moment we'll come together for a chat. 
 I'm not very strong on silver-fox farming, but I surely 
 am as well posted as are you on wireless telegraphy." 
 
 "It's the very biggest kind of an idea," and Paul 
 Simpson wheeled about to stare at his friend as if lost
 
 8 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 in amazement because such a plan had not presented 
 itself to his mind before. 
 
 During the six months or more just passed the two 
 boys had been deeply interested in what had presented 
 itself to them as a mystery wireless telegraphy. They 
 had gained so much knowledge on the subject as to be 
 able to intercept messages sent from a distance of 
 thirty or forty miles ; but because of their ignorance of 
 the code generally used by operators of the wireless, 
 they had thus far been unable to send any message. 
 
 The fathers of the two boys had looked upon the ex- 
 periments as coming rather in the way of childish sport 
 than anything which might prove to be of practical 
 value, and, therefore, the amateur telegraphers were 
 forced so to curtail their expenses that the apparatus 
 near Ned Bartlett's home was not of such strength and 
 efficiency as it might have been had the lads had more 
 money at their disposal. 
 
 Both understood all the defects in their work, and 
 knew full well how they might be remedied by the ex- 
 penditure of more money, yet had not been able thus 
 far to come at the necessary amount. 
 
 At that very moment of their joy at having, as it 
 seemed, hit upon the means of communicating freely 
 with each other during such time as Paul was forced to 
 remain on Barren island, the unpleasant fact presented 
 itself that they had expended all their funds in the erec- 
 tion of this one station at Seaview, and with such real- 
 ization came the question of how the apparatus might 
 be duplicated at the silver fox farm when they were 
 virtually penniless.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 9 
 
 The same thought was in the mind of each, for as the 
 expression of joy on Paul's face gave way to one of 
 disappointment and perplexity, Ned said mournfully : 
 
 "There's no use in asking our fathers for the cash 
 that will be needed ; at least, I know it would be time 
 wasted to say anything about it at home, for every one 
 there believes we the same as threw our money away 
 in putting up that one-horse apparatus, although we 
 have been able to report no little of maritime news since 
 it was in working shape." 
 
 "My father hasn't said anything whatever regard- 
 ing the scheme ; but it has been plainly seen that he did 
 not count it as of any great value, while mother has 
 told me more than once that I had better have kept at 
 my books than spend so much time in play. It seems 
 tough, when you think that we might talk with each 
 other while I am away, but are prevented from doing 
 so because of lacking a few dollars." 
 
 "I will tell you what I'll do," Ned said suddenly af- 
 ter a brief pause. "Eben Dyer offered me ten dollars 
 for my rifle, but I wouldn't sell it to him because I 
 paid fourteen, and it is just as good as new. If he's 
 willing now to give the same price, he shall have it, 
 and perhaps we can raise a little more in some way. 
 Why it would be better to run in debt for the material 
 than give up the plan." 
 
 Paul appeared doubtful as to this last suggestion. 
 First, because his father had instilled into his mind the 
 principle that a boy or a man should not, simply for 
 purposes of pleasure, contract a debt, and secondly be- 
 cause he had grave doubts as to whether they would be
 
 IO 
 
 able to establish a credit with any house selling elec- 
 trical supplies. 
 
 "There is my old dory," he said, as if speaking to 
 himself. "She surely should be worth fifty dollars, and 
 while I hate like the mischief to part with her, I'd 
 rather do it than give up all hope of having a wireless 
 station on the island. Let's go down to the shipyard, 
 and see if we can find any one who will buy her." 
 
 "But suppose you should sell her for fifty dollars, 
 when she's worth at least seventy-five, and then some- 
 thing happened that you'd want me to come over to the 
 island ; I'd be tied here for lack of a boat." 
 
 "Now you are crossing bridges before you come to 
 them, as father says. If it was necessary for me to 
 have you at Barren island, I surely could run across in 
 the Hampton boat after you ; but if we kept the old boat 
 for the sake of your coming across in her, there would 
 be no means of my letting you know that you were 
 wanted, for the wireless station must be built before we 
 can get together after I leave here." 
 
 Clearly it was impracticable to raise the desired 
 amount of money by the sale of the dory, and also cer- 
 tain that the proceeds of the boat would not be sufficient 
 for their purpose. It seemed to the boys as if at the 
 very moment when they had conceived what to them 
 was a most brilliant scheme, disappointment stood in 
 their path, and it is quite possible they would have 
 failed to continue their efforts in that direction, believ- 
 ing defeat was certain, had not kindly fortune sent in 
 their way the one instrument above all others for the 
 removal of this particular obstacle.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM n 
 
 And surprising though it may seem, this instrument 
 was none other than Paul's father, he who, as his son 
 believed, looked upon wireless telegraphing as a child- 
 ish sport rather than practical work, 
 
 "Are you two lads already bidding each other 
 good-by for the summer?" Mr. Simpson asked in a 
 jovial tone, and Paul turned upon him a face on which 
 was written deepest disappointment, as he replied: 
 
 "We have been trying to find out how it might be 
 possible for us to raise a certain amount of money, and 
 have come to an end of planning." 
 
 "Why can't two able-bodied lads such as you raise 
 by honest labor as much in the way of cash as you may 
 need ? I fancy your wants are not very great." 
 
 "That's just the trouble of it, sir," Ned replied 
 quickly. "Our desires far outstrip our earning ca- 
 pacity. If we could get along without Paul's old dory, 
 we might raise what is needed." 
 
 "Are you thinking of selling your boat, my son?" 
 Mr. Simpson asked in surprise. "Surely you two lads 
 cannot need as much money as she is worth." 
 
 "Ned is willing to sell his rifle, and has an offer of 
 ten dollars for it. The only way by which we can raise 
 enough more, owing to the fact that I must go over to 
 Barren island so soon, is by selling the dory, and yet 
 that would knock our plans all askew." 
 
 "Perhaps if you were to explain what your plans 
 are, I might understand the situation better," Mr. 
 Simpson said, but without any very great show of 
 eagerness to learn what the boys had in mind. 
 
 "We wanted to put up a wireless station on Barren
 
 12 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 island, so that Ned and I could talk with each other 
 at any time," Paul replied hesitatingly, for he believed 
 his father would immediately make sport of any such 
 idea, and the lad was thoroughly surprised when Mr. 
 Simpson said heartily: 
 
 "Such a scheme as that would suit me exactly. Are 
 you lads capable of working a wireless?" 
 
 "We have been doing so since January," Ned re- 
 plied eagerly. "Don't you remember that we picked up 
 messages from two steamers this spring?" 
 
 "I do not understand the principle of wireless 
 telegraphy myself, therefore it is I am asking whether 
 the fact that you could pick up a message from a dis- 
 tance, presupposes that you are able to send one." 
 
 "It is much more simple to send than to receive," 
 Paul replied as he recovered somewhat from the sur- 
 prise which came upon him at learning that his father 
 approved of the scheme. 
 
 "Very well, you are at liberty to order in my name 
 such material as may be needed, and I will pay the bills 
 with the understanding that I shall have the use of the 
 stations in case they may be needed in my new busi- 
 ness." 
 
 There is little need to say that the boys readily 
 agreed to such a proposition, and five minutes later, 
 when Mr. Simpson had continued on his way to the 
 village, the two stood mutely gazing into each others' 
 faces as if already doubting the evidences of their senses. 
 
 But little time was needed, however, to bring them 
 to a full realization of what they believed was the rar- 
 est good fortune, and there was no further thought of
 
 13 
 
 taking a sail in the old dory, for if the new station was 
 to be erected before the arrival of the silver foxes, it 
 was necessary they set about the work of gathering 
 the materials without delay. 
 
 After having made a memorandum of such articles 
 as would be needed to put up an apparatus equal in 
 electrical force to the one at Ned's home, the question 
 arose as to how much further they might go in the en- 
 terprise; that is to say, whether they would be war- 
 ranted in strengthening the power of the station at 
 Seaview, and building a new one on the island in unison 
 with it, or if they must cut down expenses to the lowest 
 possible notch. Therefore, as soon as might be after 
 this matter came up for discussion, they sought out 
 Paul's father to learn his views on the subject. 
 
 "So you are willing to sidmit that what you have al- 
 ready done is not exactly as it should be?" he asked 
 with a laugh, and Paul set about explaining how, by 
 certain additional outlays of money, it would be possi- 
 ble for them to enlarge their plans to such extent that 
 instead of confining operations within a circle of forty 
 or fifty miles, the stations might readily, and at com- 
 paratively small expense, be made sufficient to receive 
 and send messages twice or three times that distance. 
 
 "So far as concerns my end of the scheme, all I de- 
 sire is that you shall be able to maintain communica- 
 tion between Barren island and the mainland. If there 
 is a possibility that you might make more certain of 
 perfect success by the expenditure of an additional fifty 
 or an hundred dollars, why I am willing to stand the 
 expense in order to guard against failure ; but remem-
 
 14 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 her this, lads : There are a hundred cents in every dol- 
 lar, and I am not willing to put out good money for 
 the purpose of childish experiments. If you know ex- 
 actly what may be needed to establish these stations, 
 and are confident it can be done by you, without calling 
 in expert assistance, which would be expensive, then, 
 as I said before, I am ready to pay the bills." 
 
 But for the fact that Paul reminded his comrade 
 very sharply, Ned might have forgotten that, from his 
 parents' point of view, it was absolutely necessary he 
 should pass a successful examination at the Academy 
 during the following spring. He was so excited and 
 overjoyed by the possibility of going more deeply into 
 the mystery of wireless telegraphy as to forget entirely 
 his school duties, and this, as Paul explained, would 
 perhaps be fatal to their scheme, since it was necessary, 
 if they were to hold communication one with another 
 throughout the summer, that Ned's parents were not 
 opposed to his spending a certain amount of time in 
 such a manner. 
 
 Therefore, it was decided that Paul should attend to 
 the purchase of the materials, making ready every- 
 thing, so far as possible, at Seaview, and that Ned 
 perform his part of the labor only when they were 
 ready to set out for Barren island. 
 
 In order to do this last a short vacation from the 
 academy was essential, and in order that it might not 
 work to Ned's disadvantage, it was agreed that he 
 should in the meanwhile devote all his time to study, to 
 the end that he might take in advance such work as 
 would be given the students during his absence.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 15 
 
 Now in telling this story, which is one concerning 
 the raising of silver foxes, rather than of wireless teleg- 
 raphy, much space might be taken up with technical 
 description of wave detectors, circuit condensers, in- 
 ductive coils, and in fact all that goes to make up a 
 wireless station, and yet the end of the tale would not 
 be advanced. 
 
 Therefore, it seems better to say briefly that Paul, 
 with the assistance of his father, succeeded in purchas- 
 ing such a portable outfit for wireless telegraphy as the 
 signal corps in the United States Army use; and this 
 done, the remainder of the work seemed to the lads 
 simple. 
 
 There was on Barren island sufficient in the way of 
 growing timber to provide them with spars, and on the 
 second day after the Hampton boat arrived at Seaview, 
 Paul was ready to begin work on that station which 
 should connect Silver Fox Farm with the headland 
 near Ned's home. 
 
 The new power boat was a beauty from a seaman's 
 point of view. Staunch, well equipped, and unques- 
 tionably able to withstand any weather that might be 
 encountered during the voyage of twenty-two miles. 
 
 It is proof of Ned's determination that this scheme of 
 his and Paul's should not interfere with his studies, 
 when we set it down that until the hour arrived when 
 the voyage to Barren island was to be begun, he had 
 not seen the new craft, nor was he aware, save in a gen- 
 eral way, of what her cargo consisted. Nearly every 
 moment of his waking hours had been spent in poring 
 over the advanced tasks which his instructors had set
 
 16 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 him, and he could say truthfully that the visit to Silver 
 Fox Farm might be prolonged a full seven days with- 
 out interfering with his academical work. 
 
 The sun did not rise as early on the Monday morn- 
 ing set for the departure as did the boys. They were 
 up a good hour before he sent warning shafts of light 
 to proclaim his coming, and the day had not yet fully 
 dawned when the mooring lines were cast off and the 
 Hampton boat stood out from the little pier, breasting 
 the ocean swell in such a manner as gave ample prom- 
 ise of her seaworthiness. 
 
 "This is something like a craft," Ned said in a tone 
 of admiration as he stood at the wheel while Paul anx- 
 iously watched the machinery, listening jealously to 
 learn if she missed a stroke. "I've seen a good many 
 power boats ; but this goes ahead of them all." 
 
 "She's the best of her class that father could buy," 
 Paul replied modestly. "I took her out for a spin yes- 
 terday, and she behaved like a lady, which is saying a 
 good deal for a new boat." 
 
 "Indeed it is ! Say, what a time you will have in her 
 this summer, eh? Knocking around Barren island, no 
 matter what the weather may be, for she will stand 
 anything. If I'd been a decent fellow instead of a 
 simpleton, you and I could have been together from 
 now until winter." 
 
 "Don't think of what might have been, now when 
 you are doing your best to make up for it," Paul re- 
 plied soothingly. "If the silver fox business turns out 
 anywhere near what father expects, there may be a 
 chance another summer for you and me to cruise in this
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 17 
 
 boat, warning off curious ones from the island, and 
 making certain no person lands to steal the stock." 
 
 "It's a long look ahead, from now until next sum- 
 mer," Ned said mournfully. "A full year; and by that 
 time your father may have found that silver foxes and 
 Barren island don't go well together. The people here in 
 the town think that he's next door to being crazy. They 
 say that in the first place you can't raise those kind of 
 animals down here, and secondly, even if they live, they 
 won't breed, and if they breed, the fur won't be as valu- 
 able as if they had remained in colder regions." 
 
 "Yes, I've heard a good deal against the scheme, and 
 father himself isn't so certain that it will be a success. 
 Yet he believes the chances are in his favor, if he can 
 prevent people from interfering with the animals, and 
 that's why he is going to spend so much money guard- 
 ing the place. If it wasn't for his fears, we wouldn't 
 be in a boat like this just now, nor would we have the 
 material for a wireless station aboard. When you come 
 to think of it, Ned, you are not so unfortunate because 
 of failing to pass the exams last year." 
 
 "How do you make that out ?" 
 
 "Why, you had rather run a wireless station than 
 farm silver foxes, and father has an idea that our 
 scheme is a great one, so far as his business is con- 
 cerned. It might be possible for some of you in Sea- 
 view to learn when people were making ready to steal 
 the animals, and we on the island could get warning 
 by the wireless. Or, again, something might come up 
 which would cause us to need help from the mainland, 
 and how could we get it without our stations ? There-
 
 i8 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 fore, if you had passed, one or the other of us would 
 be forced to remain in Seaview, else we couldn't work 
 the business." 
 
 "And if it had not been for the silver foxes we 
 wouldn't have had two complete wireless stations, eh?" 
 Ned added laughingly. 
 
 Having thus persuaded himself, or been persuaded, 
 that perhaps his failure to pass the examination would 
 prove a blessing in disguise, Ned grew curious as to 
 what had been purchased for the new station, and the 
 two hours which were occupied in the run from Sea- 
 view to Barren island were spent in going over detail by 
 detail all that had been provided in the way of an outfit, 
 while at the same time the boys had mapped out the work 
 which was to be done immediately upon their arrival. 
 
 It was yet reasonably early in the day when the 
 Hampton boat came to anchor in the little cove nearby 
 which stood the home of Mr. Daniel Downs, and his 
 two sons put out at once in a dory to learn who the 
 newcomers might be. 
 
 These two lads, who had never left Barren island 
 save for short visits to Seaview, were thoroughly ex- 
 cited and decidedly pleased at learning that Paul was to 
 spend the summer with them ; that the Hampton boat 
 was to be used in running the fox farm ; and that Ned 
 would remain on the island a week. 
 
 When, however, a hurried explanation of what the 
 newcomers intended to do in the way of erecting a 
 station on the island was made, the lads not only di's- 
 believed what was told to them, but showed no little 
 signs of anger because the town boys were come to
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 19 
 
 them with a ridiculous story, thinking they would be- 
 lieve such a yarn. The idea of sending a message from 
 Barren island to Seaview, twenty-two miles across the 
 ocean, simply by the aid of a couple of spars and a lot 
 of wire, was ridiculous! 
 
 "But it can be done, and it is done every day," Ned 
 said sharply when Sam Downs declared boldly that 
 neither he nor his brother would be "stuffed" by any 
 such nonsense. "Haven't you read in the papers about 
 wireless telegraphy?" 
 
 "Wa'al, we don't get a newspaper out here very of- 
 ten." 
 
 "Surely you see them now and then?" 
 
 "Yes, father brought one back when he went over 
 to Seaview two years ago ; but there wasn't anything in 
 it about your yarn." 
 
 "My father says you are to help us trim and put up 
 two spars, and once we get the station in order, you 
 shall see that it will be possible for us to send a message 
 from here to Seaview." 
 
 "With nothing but the air for it to go on?" Sam 
 Downs asked petulantly, and Paul replied stoutly: 
 
 "With nothing but the air for it to go on." 
 
 "Wa'al, when that time comes, I'll be able to walk 
 from here to town without wetting my feet," Sam 
 Downs said with a laugh of incredulity, and then he 
 would have gone on shore without lending a hand to- 
 ward taking off the cargo, but that Paul showed his 
 father's written orders to the effect that he and his 
 brother should do their share in the work of installing 
 the station.
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 THE STATION 
 
 WHEN the unloading of the Hampton boat was be- 
 gun the Downs boys were by no means willing work- 
 ers, and had it not been for the positive instructions 
 given in Mr. Simpson's letter, it is more than probable 
 they would have absolutely refused to lend a hand. To 
 their minds Paul and Ned had concocted a ridiculous 
 story of being able to send messages across the water 
 without connecting wires, and were amusing them- 
 selves in an attempt to deceive. 
 
 Therefore it was that the island lads worked sulkily 
 at first; but as the odd-looking cargo was transferred 
 from the Hampton boat to the dory, they began to have 
 an idea that perhaps this "fairy story" might have 
 some little foundation of truth. 
 
 The Downs boys were not so simple but that they 
 realized that this queer collection must be connected 
 with something which they had never before seen or 
 heard about, and as the work progressed their curiosity 
 became more and more lively, until both were in a state 
 of high excitement. 
 
 "I'm not allowin' that there's any truth in the yarn 
 you've been tellin', an' surely I know that this 'ere 
 stuff hasn't anything to do with raising silver foxes," 
 Sam said when they were ready to go on shore, while 
 Paul was covering the motor and otherwise making the 
 Hampton boat ready for the night. "You've got some 
 
 90
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 21 
 
 plan in yoar head that I never heard of, an' I'll be glad 
 to see it worked out." 
 
 "There's no use for us to keep repeating that we 
 have been telling the truth about the possibility of send- 
 ing messages without connecting wires," Ned said just 
 a bit impatiently. "But in twenty- four hours after the 
 station has been erected, and I have gone back to Sea- 
 view, you'll have learned a lesson that will be valu- 
 able." 
 
 "Well, seem' how we're bound to help you in your 
 foolishness, an' can't do anything but wait, since we've 
 got to stay on the island 'cause it's our home, we may 
 as well agree that perhaps there is somethin' at the bot- 
 tom of all this which we'll be able to come at later. 
 Where are you goin' to carry the truck?" 
 
 "We'll store it in your father's house until we get the 
 spars in position," Paul said as he stepped on board the 
 dory, his work of putting the boat to rights having 
 come to an end. "The first thing is to find two spars 
 forty or fifty feet long. Are there many trees on the 
 island?" 
 
 "Quite a few; but we'll have decently hard work, I 
 reckon, to find a couple as tall as you want. I am al- 
 lowin' they will need to be straight, eh ?" 
 
 "That isn't absolutely necessary; do the best you can 
 for us." 
 
 "Meanin' that Sam and me are to look after that end 
 of the work, eh?" Ernest asked. 
 
 "There is no reason why you shouldn't. We can't 
 be of any great assistance in felling timber, and may 
 have to do some hunting around before deciding upon
 
 22 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 the site for the station. You two go ahead in your 
 own way. Is there any lumber on the island ?" 
 
 "Your father sent four or five thousand feet of 
 boards, an' some few scantlin's," Sam replied with a 
 grin. "What are you countin' on buildin' ?" 
 
 "A little shanty where we can be sheltered from the 
 rain and the wind while working the apparatus." 
 
 "I reckon you've got the right to take what lumber 
 you want, seein's it belongs to your father. We hauled 
 it up just back of the barn, an* you'll find it there." 
 
 Then the dory's bow grated on the sand, and from 
 that moment until the goods had been carried to the 
 farm-house but little conversation was indulged in. 
 
 The Seaview lads were introduced to Mr. and Mrs. 
 Downs, much to their satisfaction. The head of the 
 family was a kindly-faced man of perhaps fifty years, 
 and his wife one of those motherly, bustling women 
 who was evidently a good housewife, if one could 
 judge from the cleanliness of the kitchen into which 
 the boys had been ushered. 
 
 "So you've come out here to help me raise silver 
 foxes, eh?" Mr. Downs asked with a laugh that was 
 more like a gurgle of water in a long necked vessel 
 than anything betokening merriment. "An' what's all 
 this truck you've brought ? Some new-fangled idee for 
 the feedin' of the animals ?" 
 
 "These fellows say they're goin' to stick up a couple 
 of spars, an' twist all this truck 'round 'em, with a 
 shanty somewhere near at hand, an' then they allow it 
 will be possible to send word from here to Seaview just 
 on the air," Sam said with a boisterous laugh, and his
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 23 
 
 father gurgled until one might have fancied, from the 
 crimson hue which overspread his face, that he was in 
 danger of choking. 
 
 "Mercy on us, father! What on earth does Sam 
 mean?" Mrs. Downs asked placidly as she looked over 
 the top of her spectacles. 
 
 "Just what I said, ma'am," the lad added, laughing 
 boisterously. "They've been tryin' to stuff us with that 
 kind of a yarn ever since we met 'em down at the 
 cove." 
 
 "Sho ! Sho, Sammy ! Don't try to be pokin' fun at the 
 village lads, 'cause likely enough they mean well. You 
 never can tell what queer idees get inter some f oiks' s 
 minds, an' if they want'er play with this 'ere lot of wire 
 an' stuff, I don't know what's to hinder 'em. Barren 
 island's big enough for all kinds of contraptions, pro- 
 vidin' Mr. Simpson is willin' to take the chances of dis- 
 turbin' his foxes. An' that reminds me, son," the old 
 gentleman continued as he turned toward Paul, "when 
 are them 'ere animiles goin' to be landed here?" 
 
 "I can't say, sir; but father believed they would ar- 
 rive very soon. We boys must do a lot of work before 
 we can get the wireless in running order, and it's to be 
 done before they come, for it is true that we count on 
 sending messages from here to Seaview, as Sam says, 
 pn nothing but air." 
 
 "Sho now ! Are you goin' to try to fool the old man 
 same's you have the boys? Wa'al, wa'al, go ahead, 
 lads; have your own way,, seem' s how your father 
 seems to have fallen inter the same line of idees that 
 you've got. Go ahead, turn us upside down if you
 
 24 
 
 will ; but remember mother is countin' on your showin' 
 up here for dinner at twelve o'clock sharp, an' supper 
 will be ready 'long about sundown." 
 
 There was no good reason why the boys should 
 linger in the house. They were eager to get about their 
 work, in order that there might be no question of com- 
 pleting it before the end of Ned's short vacation, and, 
 after urging Sam and Ernest to get the spars at once, 
 set off to make a selection of the site for the station. 
 
 Barren island is perhaps three miles long, and a mile, 
 or a mile and a quarter, in width. It is a narrow strip 
 of reef, with soil to the depth of four or five feet, and 
 runs almost due north and south. About two-thirds of 
 the island stands high, say thirty or forty feet above 
 the level of the sea, and is quite thickly wooded, while 
 the two ends run with a gentle slope down to the water. 
 The northerly point is cleft, or, as Mr. Downs ex- 
 pressed it, is "swallow-tailed," forming a long, narrow 
 cove which, under certain conditions of the weather, 
 makes a snug harbor for small craft; but when the 
 wind comes from the north or east with any force, the 
 surf is so heavy that it becomes impossible to effect a 
 landing. The southerly end tapers off into a reef 
 which extends an hundred feet or more from the land, 
 and, therefore, cannot be approached closely by any 
 kind of a vessel. 
 
 Mr. Downs's house is situated on the west side, nearly 
 in the middle of the island, and within two hundred 
 feet of the shore. The out-buildings extend back 
 nearly to the timbered section, which makes effective 
 screen against the heavy northerly and easterly winds,
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 25 
 
 and directly in front of the dwelling is the cove where 
 the Hampton boat came to anchor, forming really the 
 only safe harbor to be found on that narrow strip of 
 land. 
 
 As a matter of course Paul and Ned were eager to 
 locate their station on the highest part of the island; 
 but were forced to take due heed to the neighborhood 
 of trees, lest the sound waves should be interrupted, 
 and therefore it was that they finally decided upon a 
 spot five hundred feet or more from the most northerly 
 point, and less than sixty yards from the shore end of 
 the "swallow-tailed" cove. 
 
 There was no need they should spend any time in 
 deciding upon the general arrangements, for it was to 
 be an exact duplicate of the station near Ned's home, 
 and Paul suggested that while waiting for the Downs 
 boys to fell the trees and work them into shape, he and 
 his comrade begin the erection of a shanty. 
 
 "It will take those fellows from now until night to 
 find a couple of trees, unless they know exactly where 
 to go after them, and they must work lively with their 
 axes if the two spars are ready for us by to-morrow 
 night, therefore we shall be saving just so much time 
 if we get the shanty up," Paul said, and at that moment 
 the sound of a horn lustily blown gave token that the 
 dinner hour was come. 
 
 Sam and Ernest were ready and waiting for the meal 
 when the village boys entered the dwelling, and quite 
 as incredulous concerning wireless telegraphy as when 
 the matter was first made known to them. 
 
 "Have you been sending word to Seaview that
 
 26 
 
 you've struck here?" Sam asked with a laugh, and 
 Paul, thinking it was quite time to put an end to the 
 lad's sport, said boldly : 
 
 "Now see here! We won't have any more talk 
 about our being able to send messages on air. You 
 keep right about the work which we have laid out, and 
 when everything is done it will be possible for you to 
 see that we haven't been trying to make fools of you. 
 What about the trees?" 
 
 "We've marked a couple that'll run fifty feet any- 
 how. We'll take 'em down in no time after dinner, 
 an' father allows he'll help trim 'em into shape, so's 
 they can be ready for settin' by this time to-morrow," 
 Ernest announced, and then Mrs. Downs interrupted 
 the conversation by suggesting that they "hurry up 
 with their feedin' so's the dishes could be washed be- 
 fore sundown." 
 
 "We allers feel like askin' the Almighty to have an 
 eye out on us, seein's we're so far from all the rest of 
 the world," Mr. Downs said as if by way of apology be- 
 fore he gave thanks for the humble fare before them, 
 and the lads from Seaview were not a little surprised 
 because of the fervor with which this dweller on Bar- 
 ren island addressed his Maker. 
 
 During the meal, which was hurriedly eaten by the 
 Downs family, as if time was very precious, the head 
 of the house asked many questions concerning the 
 scheme of making of Barren island a silver fox farm, 
 and questioned quite sharply the possibility of a single 
 pelt being worth as much as two hundred dollars. 
 
 "I don't know very much about father's plans, ex-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 27 
 
 cept that he believes the foxes will be here very soon, 
 and counts on making considerable money out of the 
 venture, if we can prevent curious and dishonest 
 persons from molesting them," Paul replied. 
 
 "I allow we can do all that, the boys an' me," Mr. 
 Downs said in a confident tone. "Once the time comes 
 that I can't keep my eye on this 'ere island to the ex- 
 tent of knowin' whether anybody lands or not, it's up 
 to me to go an' mix with the folks ashore." 
 
 "But if the foxes breed, and it must be true that the 
 fur is valuable otherwise father wouldn't have gone 
 into the business so extensively, there will very likely 
 be some disreputable persons who'll try to steal them, 
 and it won't be any easy matter even for you and your 
 two sons to keep watch over all the shore." 
 
 "There's quite an 'if in that 'ere remark, sonny," 
 Mr. Downs replied with gurgling laughter. "In the 
 first place you've got to get the foxes here, an' if they 
 are anything like the animiles we've got in this part 
 of the country, it'll be quite a spell before any man 
 can get hold of 'em, once they're let loose in the timber. 
 An' then again, you've got to find people who'll believe 
 a fox pelt is worth two hundred dollars. After all 
 that's been done, we know just where anybody can get 
 ashore here, an' where they can't. It ain't to be done 
 at the southerly end, nor on the easterly side, so it's a 
 case, as I told your father, of keepin' our eyes out on 
 the harbor yonder, an' on Swallow-Tailed cove. 
 That's about the size of it, an' if three of us ain't able 
 to do that much, it's time we got a few children to help 
 us. Now will you tell me what part of the business
 
 28 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 you're countin' on runnin' with all them contraptions 
 that are piled up there?'' and the farmer motioned to- 
 ward the goods which were stowed in one corner of the 
 kitchen. 
 
 Then it was that Paul explained, as clearly as was 
 possible, the purpose for which wireless telegraphy 
 would be maintained, and concluded by saying : 
 
 "It may be that we shall never really need to send 
 word to Seaview, and yet the time might come when it 
 would be of great importance. Ned and I have a sta- 
 tion at home where messages can be received. So far 
 we have done very little in the way of sending, because 
 so much power was needed. Now we have all that is 
 required in a 4-horse oil engine." 
 
 "Wa'al, wa'al, I declare!" Mr. Downs exclaimed as 
 he rubbed his chin reflectively. "I reckon there must 
 be some little truth in the yarn, else your father 
 wouldn't have fitted you out in such a fashion, an' that 
 'ere stuff most likely cost a power of money. The boys 
 an' me will do all we can toward helpin' you along, an' 
 Sam shan't poke any more fun at the business, ridic- 
 ulous as it seems. Now then, if we are all filled up let's 
 get to work." 
 
 If one should set down in detail all that was done on 
 Barren island during the week which followed, it 
 would be dull reading, and take up so much of space 
 that the story of what wireless telegraphy did for Sil- 
 ver Fox Farm could not be told. Therefore it is that 
 the reader must be content with a brief account of what 
 was accomplished during those seven days. 
 
 The two spars were set in the ground to the depth of
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 29 
 
 four feet, with wire guys leading from either side of 
 each to hold them securely. At the head of these spars 
 was made fast a pulley and tackle, by which the an- 
 tenna, or aerial, could be raised and lowered. 
 
 This aerial was of the type known as Lodge-Muir- 
 head, nineteen feet in length, by six and one-half feet 
 in width, and formed of copper wires on wooden rods, 
 with a brace in the middle to keep the central wires 
 stiff. 
 
 The shanty, or building, in which the operators 
 could be screened from the weather was situated per- 
 haps twenty feet south of the spars, and with the aerial 
 wire entering the building through a thick tube of eb- 
 onite having a small rain-hood over it. 
 
 The remainder of the apparatus was, as has been 
 said, that which is used in the Signal Corps of the 
 United States Army, being set up in trunks which only 
 required to be opened in order that everything be in 
 readiness for working. Just outside the shanty, under 
 a small boxlike hood, was the oil engine, and regard- 
 ing the power needed for the sending of messages, the 
 boys were forced to guess, believing they would not be 
 warranted in attempting to work at a distance greater 
 than a hundred miles. In the case of communication 
 with Seaview, only twenty-two miles away, Paul de- 
 cided that if they had three kilowatts, or, in other 
 words, 4-horsepower, which would be equivalent to 
 three thousand watts, it should be possible for them to 
 accomplish all that might be required. 
 
 The shanty had not been carefully built, save with 
 a view of making it serve as a screen against the rain,
 
 30 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 and to shelter the operator from the strong winds 
 which blow across Barren island with great violence at 
 times. That it could also be used as a lookout sta- 
 tion, panes of glass, twelve by twenty inches, had been 
 set at many points, so that one might command a view 
 of the entire northerly end, including Swallow-Tailed 
 cove. Later, when it could be brought over from the 
 mainland, Paul proposed to set up a small stove, and 
 counted on building a bunk against the wall, so that if 
 need arose he might spend his entire time there. 
 
 It was when all this was done, and the village lads 
 had announced that the work had been completed, that 
 Sam cried in a tone of irony : 
 
 "Now let's hear you talk to the folks over at Sea- 
 view ?" 
 
 "But surely you don't count we can do it until Ned 
 goes back," Paul said with a laugh. "And even then 
 we must tune the two stations so that one will respond 
 to the other." 
 
 "So you tune 'em up same's you do a fiddle, eh?" 
 and Sam went into convulsions of mirth, while his 
 father gurgled and grew red in the face, as if on the 
 point of choking. 
 
 "Well, that's pretty nearly what we do count on do- 
 ing," Paul replied. "You see, we don't expect to open 
 communication with any other station than Ned's at 
 Seaview, and after we shall tune the two apparatus so 
 that the wave lengths are exact, you'll find that there 
 will be no difficulty whatsoever in my talking with him 
 whenever he is at his instrument ; but it is necessary for 
 him to be at home before that can be done."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 31 
 
 "I allowed you'd have some trouble," Ernest said 
 as he turned on his heel. "Accordin' to the story we 
 heard when you first come ashore, it was only a ques- 
 tion of gettin' this thing inter shape, an' then you'd 
 show us ; but now we've got to wait till you carry him 
 back, an' after that it'll be somethin' else. I allow to 
 be gray-headed before you do what you said could be 
 done." 
 
 It was no longer possible for the island lads to fret 
 Paul. He knew that his station was completed and 
 in good shape, and Ned's would be shortly after they 
 returned to the village to set up the second oil engine. 
 Therefore he held his peace and immediately made 
 ready to return to the mainland, for there was yet time 
 to put the Hampton boat into Seaview and back before 
 nightfall. 
 
 To Sam and Ernest this powerful motor boat was of 
 more interest than anything in the way of wireless 
 telegraphy could possibly be, and there was no tone of 
 irony or mirth in their voices when they begged per- 
 mission to go to the village. 
 
 "I'd like to run over to Seaview an' back once in a 
 craft like that," Sam said in a tone of envy, and Paul 
 replied without hesitation: 
 
 "You shall do it, and perhaps once there, after see- 
 ing that Ned has just such a station near his house as 
 we have put up here, you will begin to believe there 
 must be some little truth in our statements that it is 
 possible to send a message on nothing but air." 
 
 The island boys were loud in their praise, of the 
 Hampton boat. She was so swift, and there was in her
 
 32 THE WIREtESS STATION 
 
 movements such a sense of power as she breasted the 
 waves, which they, accustomed to plying to and fro in 
 their dories, were unfamiliar with, that she was a rev- 
 elation in sea architecture to them. 
 
 They knew nothing whatsoever concerning wireless 
 telegraphy. In fact, were totally skeptical as to its pos- 
 sibilities ; but both were keenly alive to the beauty and 
 strength of such a craft as they were then in, and for 
 the first time since Paul and Ned had landed on Barren 
 island, did the Downs boys begin to fancy there was a 
 chance that these village lads might have in them more 
 than had at first been shown. 
 
 "Coin' to keep her out at the island all summer, are 
 you?" Sam asked eagerly, and added when Ned 
 nodded in the affirmative: 
 
 "Say, will you show me how to run her?" 
 
 "Of course I will, and you shall take your first les- 
 son now. All you need is to understand the working 
 of the motor, so that it will be possible for you to find 
 out what, if anything, may go wrong." 
 
 Then, while Ned steered, Paul gave a lesson in 
 motors to the Downs boys, and much to their delight 
 allowed them to care for the delicate, glistening ma- 
 chinery, which he watched, however, with jealous eyes. 
 The lads paid no attention to the passage of time until 
 the Hampton boat was run alongside the pier at 
 Seaview. 
 
 "How long has it been since you came over here?" 
 Ned asked when the craft was made fast, and Sam's 
 face was gleaming with pride because he it was who 
 had stopped the motor.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 33 
 
 "Nigh on to a year, I reckon." 
 
 "Suppose you come up to town with me? I'll show 
 you the other wireless station, and you can go into the 
 stores. There isn't much to be seen here, but you'll 
 find a good deal more than on Barren island." 
 
 "I reckon we'll stay right where we are," Ernest re- 
 plied gravely. "This 'ere boat is enough for me, an' I 
 get all kind'er mixed up when I go ashore, 'cause there 
 are so many people and houses. How long are you 
 goin' to stop, Paul?" 
 
 "Perhaps an hour." 
 
 "Then you'll find us right here when you come back, 
 an' I reckon, if you don't make any objections, we'll 
 get the hang of this 'ere motor before you come 
 back." 
 
 "Go ahead," Paul replied laughingly. "Nose about 
 as much as you please, only my advice is that you don't 
 try to start her, for fear you'd have trouble in stop- 
 ping." 
 
 "Don't you worry your head over our gettin' into 
 any such a mess as that might be, 'cause we know our 
 failin' an' ain't takin' any chances. Go on an' fix 
 up your business, an' the sooner you're back the better, 
 for I want to feel this 'ere boat under my feet once 
 more." 
 
 It so chanced that Paul did not return as soon as he 
 had expected. When he met his father, it was to learn 
 that the silver foxes had arrived the day previous, and 
 Mr. Simpson proposed that they be carried to the isl- 
 and at once. 
 
 The animals were confined in iron-lined, wooden
 
 34 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 cases, with no other apertures than was necessary to 
 admit of their being fed ; but Paul could get a glimpse 
 now and then of the blue-black, silvery fur as the foxes 
 moved restlessly about whenever any one approached 
 their prisons. 
 
 "You told me the Downs boys were here with you?" 
 Mr. Simpson said inquiringly, after Paul had satisfied 
 his curiosity regarding the rare, fur-bearing animals. 
 "I am going to trust you lads to take these foxes over 
 to the island. Just before nightfall will be a good time 
 to set them at liberty. You are to remember how valu- 
 able they are, and take every precaution against an ac- 
 cident." 
 
 It would have pleased Paul better had his father at- 
 tended to the transhipping of the foxes, yet he was 
 not a little proud because of being entrusted with such 
 work. 
 
 In order that the Hampton boat might make the voy- 
 age before nightfall, the cages were carted at once to 
 the pier, and there stowed on board the craft in such a 
 manner that even though the sea should run high, there 
 would be little danger of water coming up on the boxes. 
 After all this had been done, Mr. Simpson once more 
 urged upon his son the necessity of caution in the task 
 of liberating the prisoners. 
 
 "Be careful not to move them too roughly when you 
 take the cages ashore, and have all six carried up to the 
 timber-land before you begin to liberate them. Then 
 strive to let them out at nearly the same moment. 
 They have been many weeks cramped up in that nar- 
 row space, and must by this time be so terrified and
 
 35 
 
 wild that unless they can see their mates it is possible 
 mischief may come of it." 
 
 "After we have let them out, what is to be done, 
 sir?" Sam asked. 
 
 "Nothing for the first twenty-four hours; then 
 throw a few fish around near the spring in the woods, 
 and do not go into the timber except to carry such food. 
 From the moment you have landed a sharp lookout 
 must be kept lest stsangers come on to the island." 
 
 "But don't you want us to make certain the foxes 
 are all right?" Ernest asked in surprise. 
 
 "Leave them strictly alone. Each night for a week 
 you are to carry fish in to them ; but see to it that no 
 one of you goes among the timber." 
 
 "That's plain enough," Sam said with a laugh. "I 
 reckon we can raise silver foxes on Barren island even 
 if we don't make such a howlin' success of that 'ere 
 wireless contrivance, as you call it, though 'cordin' to 
 all I've seen, one scheme's got as much sense in it as the 
 other." 
 
 "So your station is in working order?" Mr. Simp- 
 son asked Paul. 
 
 "It will be by to-morrow noon, when we have put 
 it in tune with Ned's apparatus." 
 
 "As soon as you can communicate, let me know how 
 you succeeded in setting the foxes free," Mr. Simpson 
 said in a businesslike tone which caused Sam and 
 Ernest to look curiously at each other, for they began 
 to understand that their employer had quite as much 
 faith in the possibility of sending messages on air as 
 had his son.
 
 36 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 Then the Hampton boat was backed out from the 
 dock, Ned shouted his farewells, coupled with the an- 
 nouncement that if it should be possible for him to earn 
 another holiday by extra study, he would come over in 
 the old dory for a short visit. 
 
 Mr. Simpson again warned them as to care in hand- 
 ling the foxes, and the return voyage was begun.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 FREEING THE FOXES 
 
 SAM and Ernest devoted less care to the Hampton 
 boat during the return trip than had been previously 
 bestowed upon her. The fact that the silver foxes were 
 on board excited them not a little, for until this mo- 
 ment the scheme of the fox farm had seemed to them 
 as intangible as the possibility of sending messages on 
 air. 
 
 Now, however, the animals were in their keeping. 
 There could no longer be any question as to Mr. Simp- 
 son's' power to carry out his purpose, and quite nat- 
 urally the first question in the minds of all on board 
 the Hampton boat was as to whether the venture would 
 be a paying one. 
 
 Sam and Ernest were of the opinion that Mr. Simp- 
 son had made a grievous mistake when he declared that 
 a first-class pelt of the silver fox was worth not less 
 than two hundred dollars, and might bring a much 
 larger price, according to the condition of the market. 
 They had only in mind the native fox, and were 
 slow to believe that the animal they knew so well could 
 have a cousin whose hide was valued at so much 
 money. 
 
 "My father would not go into this business until he 
 knew all about it," Paul said stoutly while the Hamp- 
 ton boat was racing swiftly and steadily across the 
 curling waves. "It is not likely he would pay seven 
 
 37
 
 38 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 hundred dollars for two animals unless their pelts were 
 of great value." 
 
 "Seven hundred dollars!" Sam repeated incredu- 
 lously, and Ernest gazed at Paul as if believing the lad 
 had made some mistake in the amount. "Do you mean 
 to tell me he paid seven hundred dollars for two 
 foxes?" 
 
 "That's what each pair cost him, and before they 
 breed he will have spent twice the amount of money 
 that these animals represent." 
 
 "Wa'al," Sam cried in a tone of conviction, "all I 
 can say is that your father must be easy, if he puts up 
 so much money for six measly foxes. I thought he 
 was kind'er out of his head when he hired father and 
 us boys to look after 'em, an' then I counted he was 
 gettin' the foxes for nothin'; but seven hundred for 
 two! Talk about a fool an' his money!" 
 
 "You'll sing a different tune if these fellows breed, 
 and he begins to sell the pelts at a big price," Paul said 
 hotly, for he was not pleased to hear his father's plans 
 derided. 
 
 "Yes, I reckon I shall," and Sam turned his atten- 
 tion once more to the helm. "But I'm allowin' it'll be 
 a good deal with the foxes as it is with that scheme of 
 yours. There'll allers be somethin' to prevent it from 
 goin' through smoothlike." 
 
 "Why, hasn't that scheme of mine gone through all 
 right?" Paul asked in surprise. 
 
 "I don't make out as it has," and Sam turned quickly 
 as if believing now had come the time to prove that 
 the statements made by Paul and Ned were false.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 39 
 
 "You allowed to send word over to Seaview as soon 
 as that 'ere lot of wire an' poles were put up, an' what 
 about it ? You say it wants tunin' ! Now when you 
 talk to me about tunin' a bird cage like the one you've 
 got strung up, why I say it's carry in' the thing a little 
 too far, same's I say when your father tells 'bout gettin' 
 two hundred dollars for a fox's pelt." 
 
 "We won't talk about it, Sam," Ernest said, laying 
 a hand on his brother's shoulder as if to remind the lad 
 that he was lacking in respect to his employer and his 
 employer's son. "If Mr. Simpson wants to pay out 
 seven hundred dollars for a pair of wooden chickens, 
 what business is it of ours, an' if Paul an' his friend 
 are willin' to spend a week makin' guys of themselves, 
 it's nothin' to us, so long's they pay for it." 
 
 "That's just it," Paul added emphatically. "You 
 two and your father are hired to look after the island, 
 meaning the foxes and the wireless station, and you'll 
 get your wages just the same whether both schemes 
 go to smash or not. But mark my words, before 
 this summer has come to an end you will realize 
 that that bird cage of mine is something mighty 
 big." 
 
 Sam made no reply, probably because he realized that 
 it was not well for him to speak of what was being 
 done on Barren island in tones of derision, and Paul 
 remained silent owing to being nettled at the boys' 
 remarks. Ernest could not well carry on a conversa- 
 tion with himself, and, going forward, he stretched out 
 at full length on the hood which covered the boat's bow, 
 watching with sailorly eyes the little craft as she cut
 
 40 
 
 through the curling waves, throwing the water either 
 side into flecks of foam. 
 
 Because of the time spent in putting the foxes 
 aboard, Paul remained longer in Seaview than had 
 been his intention, and now, with the return voyage no 
 more than half made, the sun had sunk behind the hills 
 on the mainland, while the gray twilight was rapidly 
 deepening into blackness. 
 
 "We ought not have stayed so long," he said, break- 
 ing the silence which had continued for ten or fif- 
 teen minutes. "It was our duty to get there before 
 dark." 
 
 "What difference does it make?" Sam asked care- 
 lessly. "I can put this 'ere craft inter the cove an' 
 anchor her as well in the darkest night you ever saw, 
 as when the sun is shininV 
 
 "But I was thinking of the work to be done after 
 we get there." 
 
 "You mean settin' the foxes free? There's nothing 
 to trouble you in that, 'cause your father allowed it 
 would be better for us to turn 'em out in the night, an' 
 I'm reckonin' they'll find it black enough among the 
 timber by the time we get 'em up there. Hello ! What's 
 that craft ahead? It looks like John Ed Bingham's 
 dory." 
 
 "Who's he?" Paul asked, straining his eyes into the 
 gloom to make out that of which the lad had spoken. 
 
 "Wa'al, he's I s'pose he calls himself a fisherman ; 
 but 'cordin' to my way of thinkin' he's most anythin' 
 when there's a dollar to be made. Folks do say that 
 he's smuggled a pile of rum from down Campobello
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 41 
 
 way in his day, an' I reckon there's considerable truth 
 in it" 
 
 "Where does he live?" 
 
 "Down on the coast fifteen or twenty miles per- 
 haps more." 
 
 "It's strange I never saw him at Seaview," Paul 
 said half to himself, and a certain feeling of anxiety 
 came over him, although he could not have said why 
 he should be disturbed because this fisherman, smug- 
 gler, or whatever he might be called, chanced to be in 
 their course just then. 
 
 "Wa'al, I allow John Ed don't count on showin' him- 
 self any too much, especially over your way, where 
 Captain Tobi Thompson might make trouble for him." 
 
 "What has he done to Captain Tobi ?" 
 
 "Wa'al, the way I've heard the story is that six or 
 seven years ago he bought Captain Tobi's sloop Zoe; 
 paid ten dollars on the nail, an' 'greed to come up with 
 the balance as soon as he could get down to Quoddy 
 Head and back. He's never got back yet, I reckon, an' 
 what surprises me is that a man as close-fisted as Cap- 
 tain Tobi should ever have let the sloop go without 
 gettin' the cash right in his fist." 
 
 While one might have counted ten Paul remained 
 silent, and then, unduly anxious because of the cargo, 
 and understanding how much of mischief might be 
 done if the foxes were disturbed shortly after they had 
 been set free, he asked sharply : 
 
 "What's the man doing put here in the night? He 
 can't be fishing?" 
 
 "It would take a wiser head than I've got to an-
 
 42 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 swer that question," Sam replied with a laugh. "Why, 
 anybody who knows John Ed wouldn't be surprised to 
 find him standin' right up a cabbage patch at midnight, 
 any more than they'd be to see him knockin' 'round in 
 that dory of his while a nor'easter was tunin' up 
 at the rate of fifty miles an hour. You can set it down, 
 though, that he has got something in his mind with a 
 dollar tailin' to the end of it." 
 
 "Does he ever come to Barren island?" 
 
 "Yes, pokes his nose in there once in a while; but 
 father ain't stuck on him. He says if he had a ten-ton 
 anchor on the beach an John Ed happened along, he 
 should feel as though it was his duty to bolt the iron 
 right down on the ledge, else he'd lose it. There's 
 Capt'in Willard of the Eliza Ann, he vows an' de- 
 clares that one night when he was layin' off Monhegan 
 John Ed got away with all his fore-rigging. But then, 
 that ain't so much of a yarn when you come to consider 
 what wild ones Capt'in Willard can spin." 
 
 By this time Paul could make out with reasonable 
 distinctness a weather-worn dory in which was a single 
 occupant, who was resting on his oars directly in the 
 Hampton boat's course. 
 
 "It looks as if John Ed was waitin' for us," Ernest 
 cried as he rose to a sitting posture. "It wouldn't 
 s'prise me if the old scoundrel wanted a tow. My ! but 
 won't mother look black when she sees him turn up at 
 the house for a night's lodgin'!" 
 
 "That's what he can't be allowed to do," Paul said 
 sternly. "My father's orders are that no one shall land 
 on Barren island without his permission while the
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 43 
 
 foxes are there, and surely we won't disobey him at the 
 very start." 
 
 "But what will you do if John Ed wants a tow?" 
 Ernest asked, and Paul replied promptly : 
 
 "Tell him he can't have it." 
 
 "All right; but I'm allowin' you'll have to do the 
 talkin'. I haven't got any love for John Ed; but at the 
 same time don't hanker after makin' an enemy of him." 
 
 "Are you afraid of a man whom you admit is dis- 
 honest ?" 
 
 "Well, I won't say exactly that ; but I ain't tumblin' 
 over myself to get his ill will." 
 
 "It doesn't seem to me as if he could be very danger- 
 ous," and Paul forced himself to laugh, but there was 
 nothing of mirth- in his tones. 
 
 "That's 'cordin' to how you look at things," Sam 
 said, and now he spoke in a serious tone. "Nobody 
 can prove that John Ed ever did anythin' very wrong, 
 except so far as smugglin' rum is concerned ; but them 
 as he's turned against have had a pile of trouble one 
 way or another, an' he gets all the credit of it." 
 
 There was no further opportunity for conversation 
 of a private nature, for the power boat had drawn so 
 near the battered dory that the idle oarsman might 
 have overheard that which was said regarding him. 
 
 "Swing ever so little to port, so that we shan't go 
 too near him, and I'll answer his questions if he asks 
 any," Paul said in a low tone as he increased the speed 
 of the motor, and a few moments later came the hail : 
 
 "Ahoy on the power boat 1" 
 
 "Ahoy!" Paul shouted.
 
 44 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "Hold up a bit." 
 
 "What for?" 
 
 "Bound for Barren island, ain't you?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Well, I want a tow." 
 
 "You can't have it; we're in a hurry." 
 
 "What's that you say?" 
 
 Paul made no reply, and the Hampton boat dashed 
 on, throwing the spray over her bow to the discomfi- 
 ture of Ernest, as if she, like Paul, was eager to put a 
 greater distance between herself and the fisherman- 
 smuggler. 
 
 Glancing back ever so slightly over his shoulder, 
 Paul could see the man standing erect in his dory gaz- 
 ing toward the Hampton boat as if too much astonished 
 to admit of his speaking, and then, in an instant, anger 
 took the place of surprise, when he burst into a torrent 
 of rage. 
 
 "Won't give me a tow, eh?" Won't make my line 
 fast when it wouldn't cost you half a minute's time? 
 Think I don't know you, eh ? Got an idee I ain't up to 
 Ben Simpson's fool trick of startin' a fox farm ? Leave 
 an old man way off here in the night pullin' his arms 
 out when you might'er helped him into port? If you 
 don't rue this night's work my name ain't John Ed 
 Bingham." 
 
 The angry man could be seen standing in his dory 
 gesticulating wildly even when the Hampton boat was 
 so far away that it was impossible to hear his words, 
 and Sam Downs said in a half whisper, as if afraid to 
 speak aloud:
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 45 
 
 "You can count on it, Paul, that he'll keep his word 
 if ever the chance comes. He's heard 'bout turnin' Bar- 
 ren island inter a fox farm, an' was countin' on seein' 
 what had been done. Now you've shut down hard on 
 him, an' he'll know what them 'ere foxes look like be- 
 fore next fall, or I'll eat my head." 
 
 "If he does, then your father, and your brother, and 
 you will have neglected your duty," Paul cried angrily, 
 and striving to prevent the vague fear in his heart from 
 being betrayed by his voice. "All of you have insisted 
 that it will be possible to prevent any person from land- 
 ing, and at the very first threat an old reprobate makes, 
 you allow that he can come on the island whenever he 
 pleases." 
 
 "I don't allow anythin' of the kind," was the heated 
 retort. "We can keep the general run of folks from 
 makin' a landin' on the island, but when it comes to 
 one like John Ed Bingham, we're apt to be downed." 
 
 "Is he so much different from other men that you 
 can't guard the place against him ?" 
 
 "Wait till you know him better, then there won't be 
 any need of my answerin' the question," Sam replied 
 sulkily, and with a shrug of the shoulders as if he was 
 not inclined to continue the conversation. 
 
 Now really there was no reason why Paul should 
 feel disturbed in mind because of having refused this 
 John Ed Bingham, smuggler or fisherman, a tow to 
 Barren island, and yet such was the case. He had done 
 no more than obey his father's oft-repeated commands, 
 by refusing to take the man on forbidden ground, and 
 yet he could not prevent a certain undefined fear that
 
 46 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 because of such refusal he had worked in some way, he 
 could not have explained how, an injury to the silver 
 fox experiment. 
 
 "I had to do it," he muttered to himself, as if trying 
 to apologize for performing his duty. "Of course I 
 can't prevent him from following us ; but it will be 
 easier to keep him off the island than to have sent him 
 away after I had deliberately carried him there." 
 
 By dint of dwelling upon the matter, and straining 
 his imagination in the effort to fancy what harm John 
 Ed Bingham might do, Paul succeeded in working 
 himself into a very unenviable frame of mind, and 
 when they had come so near their destination that Sam 
 warned him to be ready to stop the motor because of be- 
 ing well into the harbor, he looked furtively over either 
 shoulder as if expecting that the old smuggler might 
 be close aboard. 
 
 "Stop her!" Sam shouted. "Let go the killock, 
 Ernest!" and as the boat's way was checked until she 
 swung to her cable, Master Downs said in a tone of tri- 
 umph: 
 
 "Talk 'bout runnin' a boat in the night! Why I'll 
 eat my head, an* yours, too, if she don't lay within 
 three fathom of where she did last week. Now what 
 about your bloomin' foxes ?" 
 
 "They must be taken ashore at once, as a matter of 
 course, and then got up into the woods in some way," 
 Paul replied decidedly, and thanks to the fact that it 
 was necessary he take charge of unlading the valuable 
 cargo, the lad momentarily forgot the fears which had 
 been aroused by the threats of John Ed.
 
 AT SILv r ER FOX FARM 47 
 
 "We can do the last part of it easier than the first, 
 'cause father'll hook the steers to the hay-rick, and 
 we'll have the foxes up there in a jiffy. It's gettin' 'em 
 ashore that's botherin' me." 
 
 "We'll put two. boxes in the dory," Ernest said as he 
 unmoored the craft which had been left behind at the 
 anchorage when the Hampton boat was sent off toward 
 the mainland. "You an' I, Sam, will both go ashore, 
 take out the two cages, an' then while I'm runnin' 
 up to the house for father an' the steers, you can 
 get back after another load, with Paul to help you 
 handle it." 
 
 That this was the most expeditious method of per- 
 forming the task the lad from Seaview understood at 
 once, and without further word two of the cages were 
 taken gingerly over the rail and deposited on the bot- 
 tom of the dory, care being had to avoid rough hand- 
 ling lest the animals be yet further excited. 
 
 Then the two Downs boys pulled shoreward, being 
 speedily lost to view in the gloom, and Paul set about 
 covering the motor to protect it from the salt air as well 
 as the rain, but pausing every few seconds to stare into 
 the blackness seaward as if expecting to hear or see the 
 man whom he was beginning to fear without any due 
 cause therefor. 
 
 "I am a fool," he muttered to himself when the task 
 was completed and he stood for at least the tenth time 
 gazing into the gloom. "I am a fool!" Then he 
 started suddenly, throwing up one arm as if to ward off 
 a blow, for at that instant a heavy thump against the 
 side of the Hampton boat was felt, and just for an in-
 
 48 
 
 stant he failed to realize that it betokened the return of 
 Sam with the dory. 
 
 "Wa'al, we left the boxes on the beach where father 
 an' the steers can get at 'em, an' now let's set a couple 
 more ashore. I forgot to tell Ernest he must bring 
 some axes, so's we can open the cages; but I reckon 
 he'll have sense enough to remember it." 
 
 A second cargo was made ready, and this time Paul 
 took passage in the light craft that he might assist in 
 the unloading. The third trip was soon made, and the 
 last two of the six animals were lodged safely on Bar- 
 ren island. It only remained to set them at liberty as 
 Mr. Simpson had commanded, and then would begin 
 the watch against intruders, which must be continued 
 for many and many a weary day and night, until the 
 visitors from Russia had become accustomed to their 
 new home. 
 
 The creaking of wheels, or axles that were strangers 
 to oil, was heard very shortly after Paul and Sam had 
 finished their portion of the work, and then came the 
 cheery hail of Mr. Downs even before his slowly mov- 
 ing steeds could be distinguished in the darkness. 
 
 "Well, Paul, got back safe an' sound, have you, 
 bringin' the foxes along, too? Wa'al, I don't know 
 'bout this 'ere scheme of goin' into farmin' for pelts, an' 
 I kind'er mistrusted that we'd never see these 'ere ani- 
 miles. It seemed to me all of a piece with that 'ere con- 
 traption of yours over at Swallow-Tailed cove more 
 fuss than fact. Howsomever, when we can get that 
 'ere lot of stuff to talkin' with them as are in Seaview, 
 I'll believe fox farmin' is a payin* trade."
 
 PAUL HAD THE SAT SFACTION OF SEEING THREE SMALL SLEEK 
 FORMS DART FROM THCIR PRISONS
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 49 
 
 It required no little time, and some considerable skill, 
 for Mr. Downs to get his team of steers straightened 
 around on the beach and headed for the woods. Then 
 the cages were taken up carefully one by one and placed 
 on the bottom of the hay wagon, the farmer handling 
 them as one might some dangerous explosive which 
 the slightest concussion would set off, as he muttered 
 half to himself : 
 
 "I don't allow as the usual run of foxes can be very 
 dangerous animiles, but these 'ere Rushian creeters 
 must be different from what I've seen, an' if we don't 
 have a tussle for our lives before mornin' it'll be God's 
 blessin'." 
 
 "They won't hurt you, Mr. Downs, else father would 
 have told us to have a care; but he is anxious that we 
 shall let them all out at the same time, if possible." 
 
 "I ain't so certain how that can be done. I've got 
 a couple of crowbars an' two axes here ; but with only 
 four of us, it don't stand to reason we're goin' to handle 
 six of these 'ere cages at the same minute. How about 
 settin' 'em free three at a time?" 
 
 It was evident to Paul that they could do no more 
 than that, and as the slowly moving steers started up 
 the incline with their light load, tugging and straining 
 at the yoke as if heavily burdened, the lad cast about in 
 his mind as to how even three of the cages might be 
 opened at the same moment, forgetting for the time 
 being the threats made by John Ed Bingham. 
 
 The lad from Seaview need not have exerted himself 
 laying plans, for once they were arrived at the edge of 
 the woods Mr. Downs took charge of the work by or-
 
 50 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 dering that three of the cages be placed on the ground, 
 and saying as he seized the crowbar after this had 
 been done : 
 
 "I'm allowin' that I'm good for one of these 'ere 
 contraptions, even if it is tied up tight with sheet iron. 
 Now if you three boys can't manage the other two, 
 I'll get your mother to come down an' do the job 
 alone." 
 
 It was not as simple a matter to free the animals as 
 Mr. Downs had anticipated. The cages were of thick 
 oaken boards, lined inside with sheet iron, and strapped 
 at the ends with bands of the same material, which last 
 must be wrenched off before any headway could be 
 made toward removing as many of the bars as would 
 permit of the fox crawling through. 
 
 The task \vas performed finally, however, after much 
 grumbling on the part of Mr. Downs because "them 
 Rushians had nailed the cages up so strong," and Paul 
 had the satisfaction of seeing three small, sleek forms 
 dart from their prisons, disappearing so quickly amid 
 the foliage that one might well question whether he had 
 even caught a glimpse of them. 
 
 The other three cages were treated in the same man- 
 ner ; but the sixth fox was a full minute behind his fel- 
 low-prisoners, and stood, while one might have 
 counted ten, as if undecided which way to turn. 
 
 Then, like a shadow, he glided off very nearly in the 
 same direction as that taken by the others, and Farmer 
 Downs said with a deep-drawn sigh of relief, as he 
 wiped the perspiration from his forehead with a not 
 overly clean shirt-sleeve:
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 51 
 
 "I vow to goodness if I ain't glad that 'ere job's fin- 
 ished! I never allowed it would take me so long to 
 set six measly foxes loose! Talk about them 'ere 
 heathen Rushians not knowin' their noses from six dol- 
 lars a month ! I'd like to see the man that could beat 
 'em cagin' animiles! I'll bite my ear if an elephant 
 couldn't have danced a hornpipe on them 'ere boxes, 
 an' not smashed 'em, an' all that work for the sake of 
 a fox!" 
 
 "But the six of 'em, 'cordin' to what Paul says, are 
 worth more'n this whole island, father," Sam cried. 
 "What do you say to payin' seven hundred dollars for 
 two?" 
 
 "Seven Did you say seven, sonny? Seven hun- 
 dred dollars for two ?" 
 
 "That's what Paul allows, an' there are six of 'em. 
 Three hundred and fifty apiece! Now what do you 
 think of silver fox farmin' ?" 
 
 "Wa'al, I ain't goin' agin my own bread and butter, 
 an' that's jest what this 'ere truck means to us. But I 
 allow that I've got the right to say it's the craziest kind 
 of nonsense." 
 
 "What about supper?" Ernest interrupted, under- 
 standing by Paul's movements that he was not well 
 pleased at such criticism. 
 
 "I'm allowin' it'll be waitin' for us, an' smokin' hot, 
 when we get back an' put up the steers. You toddle 
 right down to the house, Paul, an' we'll see to what 
 chores have been left over." 
 
 "I don't care for anything to eat," the lad from Sea- 
 view replied nervously, for now that the work of lib-
 
 52 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 crating the foxes had been accomplished with apparent 
 success, his thoughts had gone back to the man in the 
 dory. "I've got some work to do over at the wireless 
 station, and it may be quite a while before it's finished." 
 
 "Come, come sonny, you mustn't lose your appetite," 
 Mr. Downs cried soothingly. "There's nothing like 
 six or eight slices of fried pork, with as much fresh 
 fish as you can heap on your plate, after a hard day's 
 work, an' I reckon you've put in a full tally since 
 morning." 
 
 "I'm going over to the station. You needn't wait 
 supper for me," Paul said quietly, and Sam asked, with 
 no intention of casting discredit upon the work, al- 
 though to Paul's ears his tone was one of mirth : 
 
 "Coin' to tune up, eh ?" 
 
 "That's what I am, and before I come back, if Ned 
 is waiting for me, I'll get word to father of our meet- 
 ing with John Ed Bingham." 
 
 "So ! You run across the old villain, did you? What's 
 your father got to do with it?" and Mr. Downs allowed 
 the steers to go on at their own sweet will while he 
 turned to face Paul. 
 
 "The man threatened a good deal because we 
 wouldn't give him a tow, and it's just as well father 
 should know that he may do a mischief." 
 
 "Wa'al, I declare if I hadn't rather give a good bit 
 than to have had you come at cross ends with John 
 Ed !" Mr. Downs exclaimed in a tone of regret. "Of 
 course I don't allow that I'm in any ways afraid of 
 him ; but he ain't the kind of a man I'd like to have 
 get a grudge agin me. Tell me just how it happened?
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 53 
 
 I should have thought you'd known better than to 
 rough him up, Sam." 
 
 "I didn't have anythin' to do with it, father. Paul, 
 he allowed that we wouldn't give him a tow, an' he 
 run the whole business." 
 
 Then Sam told the story in detail, and Mr. Downs 
 said half to himself as he, rubbed his chin with the brad 
 in the end of the gourd-stick : 
 
 "Now I allow it's kind'er unfortunate, runnin' agin 
 John Ed in that way, though I don't jest see how you 
 could have done different. Your father allows that no- 
 body is to land here, an' of all men in the world John 
 Ed would be the worst to come foolin' 'round where 
 them 'ere seven hundred dollar foxes are. I've agreed 
 to keep 'em safe an' sound ; but I declare to goodness if 
 it don't seem that I might fail in my duty if John Ed's 
 got an eye out, an' it 'pears he has, 'cordin' to what he 
 said. Hey, Ernest, you run after them 'ere steers, or 
 nobody knows where they'll get to ! I didn't allow that 
 we'd have to begin watchin' very soon; but it seems, 
 'cordin' to what's happened, that we're bound to get on 
 to our job this very night, an' the sooner we tackle that 
 pork an' fish the quicker we'll be ready for it." 
 
 Then Mr. Downs hurried on in pursuit of the steers, 
 Ernest and Sam following close at his heels, while Paul 
 set off directly toward the wireless station, giving no 
 heed to the shouts of the male members of the Downs 
 family as they urged upon him the necessity of "fillin' 
 up" before "fiddlin' with them 'ere wires."
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 THE FIRST MESSAGE 
 
 OF course it was all very foolish, but for the time 
 being it seemed to Paul as if the Downs family was 
 united against him in favor of John Ed Bingham, and, 
 as he hastened across the island in the direction of the 
 wireless station, that he was much the same as alone in 
 the struggle against the smuggler-fisherman. 
 
 "It looks as if every member of the Downs family 
 had decided some time since that that miserable old 
 man can do about as he pleases, and I can't quite under- 
 stand the matter. They don't hesitate to call him a 
 scoundrel, a smuggler, and such like pet names, yet are 
 apparently frightened out of their wits because I 
 wasn't willing to bring him to this island in direct 
 opposition to father's orders. What a fool I was, 
 not to have asked Ned to stay at his instrument until 
 he either heard from me, or became satisfied that some- 
 thing was wrong with the apparatus! Now I may 
 spend the entire night calling him, and he in bed and 
 asleep all the time !" 
 
 His surroundings were not calculated to soothe the 
 lad who had grown nervous because of what the male 
 members of the Downs family had said relative to John 
 Ed Bingham. The night was so dark that he could not 
 even see the ground beneath his feet ; but was forced to 
 make his way by the sense of touch, so to speak, and 
 the warm air seemed stifling. The hoarse roaring of 
 
 54
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 55 
 
 the surf at the mouth of Swallow-Tailed cove sounded 
 threatening, and the moaning of the breeze through 
 the trees came to his ears like a note of warning. 
 
 "This won't do," he cried aloud, coming to a sudden 
 halt. "I've got to stay on the island all summer, and if 
 I begin by being scared nearly out of my wits before 
 the first night of duty has well begun, father's foxes 
 will come to grief. There is no sense in my getting so 
 shivery simply because a miserable old smuggler 
 threatened to work what harm he could. I must brace 
 up if I count on attending to business properly." 
 
 It was as if this one-sided conversation with himself 
 had revived his courage, for straightway he continued 
 the tramp, walking with a firmer step, and resolutely 
 shutting out from his ears the noises of the sea and the 
 night. 
 
 He was startled, however, when he came suddenly 
 upon the work of his own hands. The spars stood out 
 against the lighter darkness of the sky much like a 
 gallows, and the sighing of the wind among the wires 
 of the antenna made most ghostly music. His hands 
 trembled as he opened the door of the shanty; but he 
 had a firmer grip upon himself once the wick of the 
 lantern was aflame, and he saw the instruments as he 
 had left them a few hours previous. 
 
 "Now we'll see whether I know anything about 
 wireless telegraphy, or if it is in my hands only a toy, 
 such as the Downs family believe it to be," he said in 
 a loud tone, and the sound oi his own voice did much 
 toward dispelling the cobwebs that fear had spun in his 
 brain.
 
 56 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 The first step was to start the motor, in order that 
 he might be prepared in case it so chanced that Ned 
 was at his station striving to get into communication 
 with Barren island. Then, calling to mind all he had 
 heard and read regarding the tuning of two stations 
 to the corresponding wave lengths, he set about the 
 work, forgetting, in his eagerness to begin the real 
 work of telegraphing, all the fears which had been ex- 
 cited by the old smuggler's threats. 
 
 Paul and Ned had discussed this matter of tuning 
 the two stations in sympathy with each other, many 
 times while they were installing the apparatus, and 
 Paul knew, or believed he did, exactly what his friend 
 had done immediately after arriving home. It had 
 also been arranged between the two lads that the "call" 
 for the island station should be p-1, while that for Sea- 
 view was to be n-d. 
 
 In less than half an hour from the time of entering 
 the shanty Paul was ready to make the first trial of his 
 apparatus, and he began making the letters n-d with 
 the key, only to start back with a cry of dismay, for a 
 torrent of sparks followed the first movement. 
 
 "Now what is wrong?" he exclaimed, and for an in- 
 stant he was tempted to abandon the effort, believing 
 that his knowledge of wireless telegraphy was too 
 slight to permit of running a station. Then he shut 
 his teeth hard, and went over in mind all that he had 
 read regarding this disagreeable and erratic crackling. 
 
 An instant later he was at work upon the coherer, 
 and when next the key was raised he felt confident he 
 was sending out wave-sounds in the proper order.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 57 
 
 "There's no use for a fellow to give in beaten until 
 he has tried every remedy at hand," he said in a tone 
 of satisfaction, and after repeating the call eight or 
 nine times, he switched off the sending apparatus to 
 that of the receiving, in order to learn if his signal had 
 been heard. 
 
 Counting ten slowly, and getting no reply in that 
 time, he switched the apparatus back again, and re- 
 doubled the number of calls before waiting for a reply. 
 
 This manoeuver was repeated again and again until 
 a full half hour had been spent, and Paul was in de- 
 spair. There seemed to be no question but that Ned 
 had gone to bed at the regular hour, instead of waiting 
 to get some word from his friend, and the lad said 
 bitterly : 
 
 "It seems as if he might have waited a little while 
 on this first night, more particularly since he must 
 know that father is eager to learn if the foxes were set 
 loose without any mishap. But what's the sense in giv- 
 ing up? I may as well spend the time here calling 1 
 n-d, as to go over to the farm-house, where I wouldn't 
 be able to get any sleep, for my eyes have been propped 
 wide open by that scoundrelly smuggler." 
 
 At that instant the opening of the shanty door 
 caused him to spring up in what was very nearly 
 alarm, for he had not been expecting a visitor, and as 
 he looked quickly around an expression of annoyance 
 came over his face because this late comer was Sam 
 Downs. 
 
 "Seein's how I'm bound to tramp 'round the shore 
 cf this 'ere island till midnight, when Ernest comes on
 
 58 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 duty, I allowed it wouldn't do any great harm if I vis- 
 ited with you a spell." 
 
 "It will be all right if you don't neglect guard 
 duty," Paul replied curtly. "The orders are to move 
 about during night, on the watch for mischief-makers, 
 and you can't keep a very strict lookout if you are in 
 this shanty." 
 
 "I ain't countin' on stoppin' more'n a shake. Ma'rm 
 wanted me to tell you that she'd left your supper in 
 the stove oven, agin you was hungry when you went 
 home. It allers mixes her up pretty considerable if 
 one of us acts peckish at the table, an* your stayin' 
 away altogether kind'er upset her." 
 
 "She mustn't worry if I fail to eat as much as either 
 you or Ernest. I'm not doing hard work, and don't 
 stand in need of a great deal in the way of food," Paul 
 replied as he faced the telegraph key once more, hop- 
 ing most fervently that his visitor would take the hint 
 and get about his guard duty. 
 
 "I reckon you're kinder tunin' the fiddle up, eh?" 
 
 "Yes, something of that kind." 
 
 "Been talkin' with the folks over to Seaview?" Sam 
 asked with a hearty laugh, as if he had uttered the 
 choicest joke. 
 
 "I'm getting ready to now," and Paul began calling 
 n-d once more; but without any expectation of receiv- 
 ing a reply. 
 
 Sam stood near his elbow in open-mouthed aston- 
 ishment, starting back in fear as the irregular action 
 of the coherer admitted of a stream of sparks, and 
 leaping toward the door of the shanty when, after the
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 59 
 
 receiving apparatus had been switched on, a crackling 
 and snapping could be heard in such volume that the 
 tiny apartment actually seemed to tremble under the 
 detonations. 
 
 "Hurrah! hurrah!" Paul shouted in glee as he in- 
 serted the vibrating contacts in the circuit to break up 
 the continuous current. "Ned staid right on duty like 
 a dear boy; but I can't understand why he didn't an- 
 swer me before." 
 
 "Say, is that the reg'lar kind of a noise this 'ere 
 thing makes when you're sendin' words on nothin' but 
 air?" Sam asked timidly as he stood half in and half 
 out of the door, ready to take flight at the next indi- 
 cation of danger. 
 
 "You can't tell what may happen when the current 
 comes with too great force," Paul replied curtly. "The 
 safest place at such a time as this is outside, where you 
 can keep watch of the shore." 
 
 "I reckon it won't do any great harm if I look at 
 you a spell longer," the island lad said with a grin. 
 "I allow it'll be possible for me to stand it if you can. 
 Wind her up once more, an' let's have another Fourth- 
 of-July racket." 
 
 Paul no longer gave heed to his unwelcome vis- 
 itor. The dots and dashes were coming steadily now, 
 and with a sensation of deepest relief he read in the 
 characters of the Morse alphabet : 
 
 "Your father has been waiting here nearly an hour, 
 to hear how you got on with the foxes." 
 
 "We set them free without any mishap. One was 
 left behind by its mates for a few seconds ; but he soon
 
 6o 
 
 scuttled away in the same direction they had taken. 
 Ask father if he ever heard of a smuggler or a fisher- 
 man named John Ed Bingham?" Paul telegraphed, 
 convinced by this time that, save in the case of some 
 accident that had not been foreseen, communication 
 was finally established with Seaview, and mentally pat- 
 ting himself on the head because of having been so 
 successful in the work at which he was only an 
 amateur. 
 
 Then came the reply, Sam gradually approaching 
 nearer the instruments until he stood directly behind 
 the young operator : 
 
 "I know him as a man wholly without principle. 
 Has he heard anything about the foxes ?" 
 
 Paul had written the message out letter by letter as 
 he received it, and Sam, who could not fail of reading 
 the words, cried in a tone of astonishment: 
 
 "By the jumpin' Crickey! That thing does really 
 work jest as you said it would, an' who'd ever believed 
 it? Who sent them 'ere words?" and he pointed at 
 the writing on the paper in front of Paul. 
 
 "My father. He is speaking of John Ed Bingham." 
 
 "Wa'al, I reckon he's got the old villain down 
 fine. He must have run afoul of him, some time or 
 another." 
 
 Paul gave no heed to this last remark. He was bus- 
 ily engaged in sending a brief account of what had 
 occurred during the passage from Seaview, and when 
 the story was at an end Ned clicked off the following 
 order from Mr. Simpson: 
 
 "Tell Mr. Downs and his sons to keep their eyes
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 61 
 
 open wide. Bingham is not to be allowed to land on 
 the island under any circumstances, and I shall hold 
 them strictly accountable in case he succeeds in so do- 
 ing. There is no question but that he will make the 
 attempt, for it is safe to say he knows the value of sil- 
 ver foxes. You are to hold all hands well to their 
 work, and see to it that at least two are on duty dur- 
 ing all the hours of the night." 
 
 "Have you read that?" Paul asked as he looked up 
 at Sam, and the latter replied with a grin : 
 
 "That's what I was doin'. Kinder looks as if your 
 father knew John Ed mighty well, eh?" 
 
 "Well, having read it, why do you stay here in the 
 shanty?" Paul asked sharply. 
 
 "What's your pucker in gettin' rid of me? I ain't 
 troublin' you any, am I?" 
 
 "But father says two of you are to remain on duty 
 throughout the night, and you're loafing here when 
 that smuggler may be landing at this very moment. 
 There's nothing to prevent him from doing as he 
 chooses while you are off guard." 
 
 "Wa'al, say, you're gettin' mightily worked up over 
 John Ed, ain't yer ? An' you actin' bold as a lion when 
 he wanted a tow. What's turned you 'round so sud- 
 den?" 
 
 "Can't you see what has turned me?" Paul cried 
 angrily. "There is a message from your employer, 
 insisting that you do your full duty, and yet you stand 
 here talking nonsense. Wait until morning, if you 
 have anything to say to me, but now go at once to 
 'rouse your brother. Take this written message with
 
 62 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 you, that he and your father may see what is expected 
 of them." 
 
 "How'll they know whether your father sent these 
 words or not?" and Sam grinned in a manner that was 
 particularly exasperating to Paul. "You might have 
 cooked it up for the sake of makin' us think that this 
 'ere contraption could do sich business." 
 
 "It will be safe for you to believe that I'm telling 
 the truth, for if two of you are not on duty within fif- 
 teen minutes, and doing your best at watching the 
 shore, I shall send such a message to Seaview as will 
 cause my father to come here before noon to-morrow." 
 
 Paul spoke with such a tone of authority that Sam 
 shuffled away as rapidly as it was possible for him to 
 move, saying sufficiently loud to be heard as he disap- 
 peared in the darkness : 
 
 "Some folks are mighty fussy over a lot of measly 
 foxes. I'd like to know how two of us, or all hands, 
 countin' in ma'rm, for that matter, could keep John 
 Ed from landin' if so be he took it inter his head that 
 Barren island was his port?" 
 
 "Your father agreed that it could be done, and my 
 father will hold him to the promise, or there'll be an- 
 other set of keepers here in short order," Paul shouted, 
 and then he turned his attention to the apparatus once 
 more, for the call p-1 was sounding rapidly, as if Ned 
 feared something had gone wrong. 
 
 "Where have you been?" Ned asked when Paul 
 gave the signal that he was ready to receive a message. 
 
 "One of the Downs boys, who is supposed to be on 
 guard until midnight, has been loafing in the shanty;
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 63 
 
 and it required considerable time and many words to 
 make him return to duty," Paul replied by use of the 
 key, and immediately came an additional order from 
 his father: 
 
 "Make certain they keep a sharp lookout. Take a 
 hand in the work yourself to-night, and if you are con- 
 vinced that they are not carrying out my instructions, 
 send word early to-morrow," and Ned added on his 
 own account, "I'm sleepy enough to go to bed now; 
 you'd better do the same. Will be ready for you be- 
 tween seven and eight in the morning." 
 
 "I can't go to bed, for I'm certain the Downs fam- 
 ily are not attending to duty. Good-night." 
 
 "Good-night," came in reply, and Paul shut off the 
 motor, after which he disconnected the instruments, 
 shut the trunk in which was the delicate mechanism, 
 locking it securely as a precaution against mischief on 
 the part of any evil-disposed person who might suc- 
 ceed in effecting a landing. 
 
 There was no longer any personal fear of John Ed 
 Bingham in the lad's mind, now that he had had com- 
 munication with his father. He still believed the old 
 smuggler would do harm to the foxes if it was within 
 his power and any money was to be made by so do- 
 ing; but that sense of undefinable fear had gone, and 
 once more was he alert and quick-witted, all the cob- 
 webs having been swept away from his brain. 
 
 When everything was in shape to be left for the 
 night Paul went out into, the darkness, leaving the 
 lantern behind to the end that he might move about 
 unseen, and, going well down on the rocky shore,
 
 64 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 walked softly along, straining his eyes into the gloom, 
 or listening for that sound which might tell of in- 
 truders. 
 
 Not until he had come to the cove in which the 
 Hampton boat was moored, did he hear anything of 
 those who were supposed to be keeping sharp watch, 
 and then the sound of voices in the distance told that 
 the Downs boys, having neglected their duties during 
 this long interval, were approaching. 
 
 "What's the sense of two walkin' 'round all night?" 
 Ernest was saying in a petulant tone. "One is as good 
 as half a dozen, 'cause if John Ed reckons on landin' 
 here he can't be stopped." 
 
 "The trouble of it is Paul will send word to his 
 father that we ain't carryin' out the bargain 'cordin' tq 
 his fool idees, an' we may lose the job," Sam replied, 
 and his brother said in a tone of conviction : 
 
 "You'll never make me believe that he can send word 
 from here to Seaview on air. He's been stuffin' you, 
 an' I'll bet my head the last word he heard from his 
 father was when we put out from the dock with the 
 foxes aboard." 
 
 "Anyhow, we've got to keep walkin', I reckon, if 
 we count on earnin' wages." 
 
 "What's to hinder our crawlin' among the bushes 
 up by the spring, an' havin' a snooze? He'll never 
 know whether we've been takin' it easy or not, an' it's 
 all nonsense for us to wear our lives out on sich a fool 
 job as this." 
 
 Paul understood full well that now was the time 
 when these lads must be made to understand that his
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 65 
 
 father's orders were to be obeyed to the letter, other- 
 wise Silver Fox Farm would come to an untimely 
 end. He would have preferred that some other should 
 recall them to their duty; but it was so firmly im- 
 pressed on his mind that the old smuggler would at- 
 tempt to make a landing before daylight, that he did 
 not dare to delay, therefore called sharply as he ad- 
 vanced rapidly in the direction of the idlers: 
 
 "The reason why you can't crawl in among the 
 bushes near the spring is because father gave positive 
 orders that we were not to go among the foliage, save 
 once each day for the purpose of leaving food, and you 
 may count it 'as certain that I shall know whether you 
 attend to the duties of guarding this island, or deceive 
 the man who pays you good wages." 
 
 "So you've been listening eh?" Ernest demanded 
 in an angry tone. 
 
 "Any one half a mile at sea might have heard what 
 you said, and if that smuggler of yours is really try- 
 ing to work mischief to the foxes, he'd have had a 
 good chance to slip past you." 
 
 "Wa'al, what business is it of yours whether we 
 moon 'round this island, or take it kinder comfort- 
 able?" Ernest cried aggressively. "You ain't payin* 
 us our wages." 
 
 "But I'm here to see that you earn them," Paul re- 
 plied firmly, but in a friendly tone. "See here, boys, 
 my father is spending a large amount of money in this 
 scheme of raising silver foxes, and it is easy for you to 
 turn the whole thing into disaster by neglecting to 
 carry out his orders. I don't want to have any trouble
 
 66 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 with you, or seem to act the part of fault-finder; but 
 I have had orders to see that a strict watch is kept, as 
 your father agreed should be done, and I'm going to 
 obey them to the letter. It would have been possible 
 for me to send word that Sam was loafing in the 
 shanty instead of patroling the shore ; but I didn't want 
 to make a row, so held my peace, determined to take 
 part in guard duty until morning." 
 
 "An' you're still tryin' to stuff it down our throats 
 that you can talk with your father in Seaview over that 
 lot of truck you've got up at Swallow-Tailed cove?" 
 Ernest cried angrily. 
 
 "If you need positive proof, I'll telegraph for him to 
 come here to-morrow, repeating all I have heard you 
 say about sleeping instead of watching, and if he isn't 
 here before sunset the Hampton boat shall be yours. 
 Do you want to try the experiment?" 
 
 "I'll never believe you can send words on nothin' 
 but air," Ernest said doggedly. 
 
 "Then you shall have all the proof that is needed 
 before to-morrow night, and when my father repeats 
 what you have said about crawling among the bushes 
 near the spring, I reckon you'll believe there is more 
 in wireless telegraphy than you fancied." 
 
 "There ain't any need to go so far as that," Sam 
 replied quickly, and by the tone of his voice one could 
 readily understand that he was more than a trifle 
 afraid Paul might be able to do as he announced. "We 
 won't allow that you can send a lot of words on 
 nothin' but air ; but it don't stand to reason we want'er 
 take the chances of losin' this job."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 67 
 
 "Then do as you have agreed with my father. 
 Strive earnestly to prevent any one from coming 
 ashore here, and I'll hold my tongue. You can't af- 
 ford to have this business fail, because it means good 
 wages for all your family during many years, and, 
 since you perform no other work than that of watch- 
 ing, it can't be so hard that you'd be willing to prove 
 false to your promises. I'll do my share, and between 
 the three of us, with your father to stand watch dur- 
 ing the daytime when we are sleeping, it can't be so 
 very hard." 
 
 "We'll watch all right," Ernest said after a brief 
 pause, "an' see to it that no one gets ashore, except it 
 may be John Ed, an' I don't allow we can cut much 
 ice when it comes to buckin' agin him." 
 
 "Why not? In what way is he different from any 
 other man?" 
 
 "Wa'al, that's a question I can't answer exactly; 
 but he is different, 'cause he contrives to do pretty 
 much as he allows, an' it don't seem as if anybody 
 could get the best of him." 
 
 "Of course you can't if you crawl away among the 
 bushes to sleep at the very time when you have every 
 reason to believe he is near at hand," Paul cried ear- 
 nestly. "I believe he is close by even now, and may 
 be hearing what we say, therefore it stands us in hand 
 to keep our eyes open wide." 
 
 "What more can we do than walk back an' forth on 
 the shore?" Ernest asked sulkily, and Paul replied 
 sharply : 
 
 "Keep perfectly quiet so that he can't have any idea
 
 68 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 as to where you are, and move to and fro so swiftly 
 that he won't get a chance to slip past you." 
 
 "But s'pose we come across him? What's to be 
 done then?" Sam asked. 
 
 "Didn't your father tell you what to do?" 
 
 "He said we was to stop anybody from comin' 
 ashore ; but that was before he knew John Ed was goin' 
 to take a hand in the muss." 
 
 "Do you fancy he allows that John Ed can do just 
 as he pleases?" Paul asked sternly. 
 
 "I don't know what he allows; but it's a fact that 
 the old villain carries his point whenever he tries, an' 
 since you wouldn't give him a tow I reckon he'll try 
 mighty hard," Sam said, still giving evidence of being 
 in the sulks. 
 
 "Look here, boys," and Paul did his best to appear 
 friendly despite all the disagreeable things which had 
 been said, "we are bound to keep Bingham at a dis- 
 tance, and I'll do my share to-night. If you are so 
 certain that he can't be held in check, father shall come 
 over to-morrow and bring with him those who are 
 not afraid of the smuggler. Now instead of standing 
 here talking for the benefit, perhaps, of the very man 
 we are on guard against, suppose we separate with the 
 idea that each of us is personally responsible in the 
 matter of his getting ashore. We will work indepen- 
 dently of each other, meeting here from time to time, 
 and do our very best until sunrise. Is it a bargain?" 
 
 "What'll we do if we come across John Ed on the 
 island?" Sam asked with the air of one who puts A 
 question which cannot well be answered.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 69 
 
 "Hold him, and yell for me. I'm not afraid of one 
 man, and if I can't get the best of him single-handed, 
 I'll guarantee that he don't do any harm to the foxes." 
 
 The two Downs boys moved away as if agreeing to 
 the proposition made by Paul, and when they were lost 
 to view in the darkness the lad from Seaview said to 
 himself : 
 
 "That old smuggler knows full well that the people 
 here are afraid of him, and it is more than likely, in 
 case he really does come, that he'll be bold enough to 
 land at the cove as if believing himself a welcome visi- 
 tor. Therefore I'll put in the most of my guard duty 
 there, and try to decide what I ought to do in the way 
 of letting father know what I have heard this 
 night." 
 
 Then Paul stole softly toward the cove, with suffi- 
 cient of a mental burden for a grown man of long ex- 
 perience. It was evident to him that the Downs boys 
 could not be depended upon to guard the island as 
 Mr. Simpson believed necessary, and yet at the same 
 time it was a question whether he would be warranted 
 in saying that which would cause his father to make a 
 complete change of plans. 
 
 The lad understood full well that if his father was 
 convinced the island boys might neglect to do their full 
 duty, he would not hesitate to replace them with more 
 reliable employees. Thus would be raised up at least 
 three enemies to the silver fox scheme, and such ene- 
 mies as might be able to work very much harm owing 
 to their knowledge of the island and all its coves and 
 harbors.
 
 70 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "I'll have a talk with Mr. Downs the first thing in 
 the morning," Paul said to himself after studying long 
 and earnestly on the subject as he skirted the shore of 
 the cove, "and if he claims John Ed is such a wonder- 
 ful man that he can make a landing no matter how 
 many are on the lookout, then I'm warranted in tell- 
 ing father all that has happened this night." 
 
 Now it is barely possible that Paul was "more 
 frightened than hurt," as the old adage has it, for when 
 morning came no sign could be seen of the smuggler. 
 At intervals during the night the three lads had met, 
 thus showing that all were at least awake and moving 
 around; but no one had seen or heard anything of a 
 suspicious nature, and Sam said sleepily when Paul 
 announced that there was no good reason why they 
 should not go to breakfast: 
 
 "All that talk of yours was wasted, 'cause John Ed 
 didn't come 'round, an' we'd been jest as well off if 
 we'd had a snooze." 
 
 "The fact that perhaps no one landed here during 
 the night doesn't prove that there is no need of keep- 
 ing a strict watch," Paul replied stoutly. "What 
 troubles me most, and I am certain father will look at 
 it in the same light, is that you believe the smuggler 
 can do just as he pleases, therefore there's no use in 
 trying to guard against him " 
 
 Paul was interrupted by the appearance of Mr. 
 Downs, who cried heartily as he came in sight of the 
 boys: 
 
 "Wa'al, how about it? Seen or heard anythin'?" 
 
 "Not a hooter, an' we've been makin' fools of our-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 71 
 
 selves walkin' 'round this bloomin' island all night 
 when we might'er been in bed." 
 
 "We 'greed with Mr. Simpson that we'd keep our 
 eyes open from sunset to sunrise, an' seein's we're paid 
 for it, there's nothin' else to be done," the old man re- 
 plied, and Paul would have been more relieved in 
 mind had he laid greater emphasis on the fact that 
 they also promised to prevent any one from coming 
 ashore. 
 
 "I reckon mother much the same as had a fit when 
 she found that you didn't come to get any of the sup- 
 per she was keepin' hot for yer," the old man con- 
 tinued as he turned to face Paul. "There's no use in 
 your takin' hold so strong at the jump, 'cause it don't 
 stand to reason any body will do harm to the foxes 
 till they've had a chance to breed, when they won't be 
 so terrible wild." 
 
 "Father believes we should be on guard every mo- 
 ment, and I've been trying to do what I know he wants 
 done." 
 
 "That's all right, sonny; but at the same time he 
 don't allow that you're goin' to kill yourself, 'cause 
 there'll be foxes an' to spare long after you an' me are 
 in our graves. The boys tell me that you got your con- 
 traption to workin', an' believe you knew what the 
 folks at Seaview were sayin'." 
 
 "I knew what one person was saying," Paul replied 
 without any very great show of spirit. Mr. Downs had 
 shown, as it seemed to him, a willingness to neglect 
 the work such as his sons had displayed, and there was 
 no longer any question in his mind but that duty to
 
 72 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 his father demanded that he make all the facts known 
 without delay. 
 
 "I'll tell him the substance of what has been said by 
 the old man as well as the boys, and it shall be for him 
 to decide what ought to be done," he said to himself, 
 and for the benefit of Mr. Downs and his sons he 
 added aloud, "I believe it will be better if father comes 
 over to-day to see for himself how the work has been 
 begun, and after breakfast I'll tell him so." 
 
 "Then you've really got the idee that there's no 
 trouble 'bout sendin' word to Seaview with that lot of 
 truck up yonder?" and Mr. Downs looked pityingly 
 at him, as the lad fancied. 
 
 Paul's heart was heavy with anxiety, and he no 
 longer had the spirit to make reply, save as he said in 
 a low tone: 
 
 "That's what I believe, and I shall still have a very 
 good idea that it is a fact, even after you have decided 
 that wireless telegraphy is a delusion and a snare."
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 TELLTALE SIGNS 
 
 IT was as if Mrs. Downs realized that there was 
 some disturbing element in the household, for she 
 seemingly made every effort to arouse Paul from the 
 thoughtful mood into which he had fallen after hav- 
 ing learned that Mr. Downs was no more inclined to 
 carry out all his promises than were the boys. 
 
 The good woman reproached the lad in a motherly 
 tone because of having neglected to eat his supper, and 
 cried out against his taking part in the guard duty 
 when he was, as she said, not accustomed to such 
 rough work. 
 
 "I have cooked these 'ere flapjacks especially for 
 you, because I'm thinkin' you're sort of a mother's boy, 
 an' need coddlin'," she said, laying her hand tenderly 
 on the lad's shoulder. "Sam an' Ernest haven't had 
 a chance to be fmnicky about what they eat, so long's 
 there's enough; but it will be different with you, I 
 reckon. I noticed you didn't take half as much bacon 
 as I'd laid out for you yesterday noon. I tell my men- 
 folks that as long as they eat I ain't worried about 
 'em ; it's when they peck here an' there, same's you're 
 cloin', that I scurry 'round to get sulphur an' molasses 
 ready." 
 
 Paul tried really hard to convince Mrs. Downs that 
 he was neither ill nor suffering from lack of food, and 
 in this laudable effort he ate at least three more griddle 
 
 73
 
 74 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 cakes than he otherwise would have done, hoping 
 thereby to give her convincing proof that he was in 
 no need of anything in the nature of sulphur and 
 molasses. 
 
 Strive as he might, however, it was impossible to 
 throw off the forebodings which had come upon him 
 when he learned how little inclined the male members 
 of the Downs family were to live up to both the letter 
 and the spirit of the contract made for the running of 
 Silver Fox Farm. 
 
 He had already decided that it was in the highest 
 degree necessary his father should visit Barren island 
 at the earliest possible moment ; but Ned had told him 
 the night previous that he would not be at the Seaview 
 station until seven o'clock that morning, and it was 
 only a few minutes past five when he arose from the 
 breakfast table, heedless alike of Mrs. Downs's pro- 
 tests and arguments there was no need for him to 
 "tramp 'round the island" doing guard duty, because 
 it was not likely any one would try to make a landing 
 at that early hour. 
 
 As a matter of fact Paul was not intending to act 
 the part of sentinel. He did not believe John Ed Bing- 
 ham would attempt, after the threats he had made, to 
 visit the island in the daytime, and therefore it was the 
 same as a fact in his mind that there was little neces- 
 sity for playing the part of lookout until another night 
 had come. 
 
 "When are you goin' to make up the sleep you lost 
 last night?" Mrs. Downs asked as he stepped out of 
 the door, and Paul replied carelessly :
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 75 
 
 ''Oh, I can do that almost any time." 
 
 "Better go to bed while you're in the mood for it," 
 the good woman insisted. "You'll stand more chance 
 of goin' to sleep if you set about it before gettin' so 
 wide awake." 
 
 "I've got to talk with father at seven o'clock, and 
 then if you'll lend me a blanket, I'll lie down in the 
 shanty." 
 
 While making this reply he had hurried away from 
 the house in order to put an end to the conversation, 
 and involuntarily he turned his face in the direction of 
 the cove, walking aimlessly on until arriving at the 
 water's edge, when he stood gazing at the Hampton 
 boat, hardly seeing her because his thoughts were so 
 far away. 
 
 After a few moments, however, the fact slowly 
 dawned upon him that the power boat was not as he 
 had left it, and once this possibility suggested itself to 
 his mind he became keenly on the alert. 
 
 He could see above the rail one corner of the motor 
 covering. It was of heavy vulcanized cloth, made in 
 the form of a box, and enveloped the entire machinery. 
 Looking back upon the events of the previous night, 
 he remembered distinctly not only having put this 
 screen on carefully, but fastening down the corners 
 with loops set into the cloth for that purpose. 
 
 "Somebody has been on board of her since I left," 
 he said, speaking aloud as he ran swiftly toward the 
 dory belonging to the Downs boys, which had been 
 hauled up above high water mark. 
 
 It was no slight task for him to drag the heavy craft
 
 76 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 unaided over the sand; but so great was his excite- 
 ment, for now all the forebodings of the night before 
 had come upon him with redoubled force, that he 
 finally succeeded, and with feverish haste pulled across 
 the small cove to the Hampton boat. 
 
 It was not necessary he should go on board in order 
 to make certain some one had visited her. Not only 
 was the vulcanized cover showing above the rail; but 
 it had been entirely removed from the motor, and two 
 wrenches which he knew beyond question had been 
 stowed in the locker, were lying on the floor as if hav- 
 ing lately been used. 
 
 In a twinkling he was over the rail, not forgetting, 
 however, to bring the dory's painter with him, and then 
 a cry of dismay burst from his lips. 
 
 The sparker of the motor had been removed, and 
 was nowhere to be seen. Two nuts had been taken off, 
 and were missing also. In fact, the motor had been 
 evidently hastily, but certainly, put out of commission, 
 and it must have been done by some person who in- 
 tended to visit the island with evil intent, in order to 
 prevent pursuit in case of being discovered. 
 
 "It's that miserable smuggler!" Paul exclaimed, 
 looking here and there along the shore as if almost 
 expecting to see John Ed Bingham come out from 
 some place of concealment. Then after a brief time 
 of thought he added, "It doesn't seem possible any man 
 would do such a thing simply because I refused to give 
 him a tow, nor is it reasonable to believe he could come 
 at the foxes now while they are so wild ; yet who else 
 has done the mischief ?"
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 77 
 
 Then came the knowledge that whoever had dis- 
 abled the boat must have come into the cove during the 
 night. Hurriedly covering the motor, he rowed 
 quickly to the shore, pulled the dory out of the water 
 as far as possible, threw her anchor on the sand, and 
 ran along the beach looking for some signs of the 
 visitor. 
 
 The tide was at its lowest mark, and, therefore, six 
 hours must have elapsed since the beach was covered 
 with water. If any person had landed since eleven 
 o'clock he ought to see some evidence of such fact. 
 
 Walking slowly and scrutinizing every foot of the 
 shimmering sands, he continued on along the southerly 
 side of the cove until rounding the point, and then 
 there were before him signs sufficiently plain to tell 
 beyond a peradventure that some man had visited Bar- 
 ren island since midnight. 
 
 About half-way between high and low water marks 
 was the imprint of a dory's bow in the sand, with foot- 
 steps leading up on shore in a southeasterly direction, 
 and returning at an angle, as if he who made them had 
 come directly from Farmer Downs's house. 
 
 As a matter of course there was no real proof that 
 the intruder had held communication with any member 
 of Mr. Downs's family; but it was at least suspicious 
 that these footprints were on a direct course from the 
 farm-house. 
 
 "Whoever landed came about three hours ago," 
 Paul said to himself as he s,tood studying the trails left 
 so boldly on the sand. "The dory's bow must have 
 struck here when the tide was about half ebb, else the
 
 78 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 water would have washed the imprint away, and that 
 was at the time I went around the shore of Swallow- 
 Tailed cove, thinking Sam and Ernest, after all that 
 had been said, would keep sharp watch here." 
 
 Paul started to follow the line of footprints lead- 
 ing up on to the shore ; but, as a matter of course, los- 
 ing them immediately he was among the loose sand 
 above high water mark, and he was not sufficiently 
 versed in woodcraft to be able to follow them on the 
 grass. Therefore it was that such story as he evolved 
 from these telltale signs must be confined to that nar- 
 row space between the limit of the tide at its height, 
 and the imprint of the dory's bow. 
 
 Surely Paul Simpson was confronted with a prob- 
 lem which would have perplexed and alarmed a wiser 
 head than his. He believed with good reason that 
 those whom his father depended on to guard the silver 
 foxes were wilfully neglectful of duty despite all the 
 warnings he had given them the night before, and yet 
 what more could he do than already had been done? 
 
 Mr. Downs, as well as his sons, had no faith in 
 Paul's ability to send a message across the waters to 
 Seaview, therefore believed that Mr. Simpson could 
 not be warned of the course which they evidently in- 
 tended to pursue. 
 
 "It may be that one or the other of them wrecked 
 the Hampton boat so that I couldn't run over and tell 
 father what I know," he said to himself, and immedi- 
 ately afterward dismissed such a thought from his 
 mind, because it was not reasonable to suppose they 
 would do that which might so readily be brought home
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 79 
 
 to them, since it must in time either be admitted that 
 some one had visited the island in disregard of Mr. 
 Simpson's commands, or that they themselves had 
 done the mischief. 
 
 "There's little sense in my staying here studying 
 over the matter. There's no wind, and the sea is calm ; 
 father can come over in the old power boat without 
 danger, and I will tell him all that has happened. It 
 is better to let him know I am really frightened, than 
 keep secret what seems to me such plain evidence of 
 treachery." 
 
 The knowledge that it would be possible to shift the 
 responsibility which weighed so heavily upon him, to 
 his father's shoulders, served to cheer the lad some- 
 what, and turning his back upon the telltale signs, he 
 walked rapidly toward the station, increasing his speed 
 as the idea occurred to him that perhaps some mischief 
 might have been done there during the short time he 
 had been in the farm-house eating breakfast. 
 
 Everything at the wireless station was as he had left 
 it, and with a long-drawn sigh of relief he settled back 
 in the rude chair facing the instrument, to wait until 
 it should be time to open communication with Seaview, 
 turning over in his mind again and again all the dis- 
 quieting events of the past twelve hours. 
 
 A few moments before seven o'clock he started the 
 motor, and in the absence of anything else with which 
 to occupy his time, set about sending out the call n-d, 
 and listening now and then for the reply which he did 
 not believe would come immediately. 
 
 His surprise was great, therefore, on hearing the
 
 8o 
 
 letters p-1 when he had switched on the receiving ap- 
 paratus, and at once Ned began to explain, as if think- 
 ing an apology was necessary, why he had come into 
 his station so early. 
 
 "After what you told me about that smuggler it 
 was pretty hard work to fall asleep. I was awake be- 
 fore daylight, and have been here half an hour or more 
 calling you." 
 
 "And I have been loafiing around waiting until 
 seven o'clock," Paul clicked back in reply. "Can you 
 get father right away?" 
 
 "He is just coming up the hill." 
 
 "Write this down for him: The Downs family did 
 not believe it necessary to keep strict watch. I had 
 sharp words with the boys last night when they in- 
 sisted there was no need to stand guard. Mr. Downs 
 seems to be of much the same mind. None of them 
 believe I can send a message. Between two and five 
 o'clock some person landed in a dory just south of the 
 cove, and went up the beach as if going to the 
 spring. Coming back the footprints led from the 
 direction of the farm-house. You must come here with- 
 out delay." 
 
 When the last word had been clicked off Paul 
 waited for the reply, feeling that more than half his 
 burden had been swept away now his father knew the 
 exact condition of affairs, and he found time to con- 
 gratulate himself on the excellence of the work which 
 he and Ned had done, for the two stations were in per- 
 fect harmony, consequently there was no difficulty in 
 receiving clearly any signal from Seaview.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 81 
 
 Then the warning sound came, and Paul read by 
 the dots and dashes these words : 
 
 "Will start for Barren island as soon as I find the 
 man whom I shall hire to assist you. Will be there 
 probably about noon." 
 
 "You can't get here too soon," Paul's return mes- 
 sage began. "If John Ed Bingham should come into 
 the cove the Downs Family would do nothing to pre- 
 vent his landing. They are afraid of him." 
 
 That his father was trying to cheer him Paul under- 
 stood when Ned sent with fairly good speed the mes- 
 sage: 
 
 "There is little danger any mischief will be done 
 .during the daytime. Will be with you at noon." 
 
 When Paul had read this, Ned added on his own 
 account : 
 
 "Your father has hurried away to find Zenas Gush- 
 ing. He will hire him to stay with you. I shall plug 
 at my books mighty hard in the hope of being with you 
 shortly for a day or two. Will come into the station 
 at twelve-thirty this noon, and again at six to-night. 
 Good-by." 
 
 "Talk about wireless telegraphy !" Paul said to him- 
 self in a tone of satisfaction and triumph as he shut 
 off the motor and locked up the instruments. "Father's 
 silver fox farming would be the same as at an end 
 within twenty-four hours if Ned and I hadn't spent 
 our time studying the transmission of wave sounds. 
 I reckon Mr. Downs will come to understand that this 
 'contraption' of mine isn't such a piece of fool busi- 
 ness as he and his sons have allowed. Of course John
 
 82 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 Ed Bingham won't attempt to come ashore this fore- 
 noon, and if he should, wouldn't dare to molest the 
 foxes, therefore I may as well go over to the house for 
 some blankets. Until things get into better shape I 
 intend to sleep here, where I can get at the instrument 
 at any moment it may be necessary." 
 
 Paul was locking the door of the shanty when Mr. 
 Downs himself came up from the shore directly op- 
 posite the station, and cried as soon as he was within 
 hailing distance: 
 
 "Been tunin' your riddle agin this mornin'?" 
 
 "I did that last night," Paul made reply cheerily, for 
 his heart was very light now he knew that his father 
 would speedily be with him. "It's working like a 
 charm." 
 
 "Been talkin' with your father, eh ?" 
 
 "Yes. He's coming over. Will be here about 
 noon." 
 
 "Sho! Now, boy! You don't mean to tell me that 
 you know he's comin' that you found it out with that 
 'ere contraption?" 
 
 "That's what I did, and when he gets here you'll 
 be forced to admit that there's something in wireless 
 telegraphy after all, won't you?" 
 
 "Yes, when he gets here," Mr. Downs replied with 
 a drawl. "But the proof of the puddin' is in the 
 eatin', and I shall have to wait till he flashes up 
 before agreein' that you have talked with him this 
 mornin'." 
 
 "It won't be long that you'll have to wait for the 
 proof of the pudding, Mr. Downs, so there's no reason
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 83 
 
 why we should argue the matter. Did you know that 
 some one came ashore here last night about two 
 o'clock?" 
 
 "Sho, now! What put that idee into your head, 
 lad? There couldn't any one have landed here with 
 all three of you boys on watch, unless we'd knowed 
 about it. How did you get sich a wrinkle?" 
 
 "Well, in the first place the motor on the Hampton 
 boat has been disabled the sparker and two nuts car- 
 ried away; and that reminds me, I should have told 
 father to bring me over some extra fittings." 
 
 Turning suddenly, Paul unlocked the door of the 
 shanty, hurriedly set the motor in motion, and began 
 calling n-d with furious energy. 
 
 Again and again he listened for a reply, Mr. Downs 
 standing by with an expression of incredulity and curi- 
 osity written on his face, in much the same attitude as 
 Sam assumed the night before. 
 
 "It's no use," Paul said mournfully as he shut off 
 the motor and locked up the instruments again. "Ned 
 gave me fair warning that he was going, and when he 
 comes back at half-past twelve it will be too late for 
 father to bring the things over with him." 
 
 "She don't work, eh?" and Mr. Downs appeared 
 particularly well pleased. "Ain't movin' like a charm 
 now, eh?" 
 
 "The instruments are all right; but Ned isn't there 
 to receive the message. He'll be at his station at 
 twelve-thirty this noon, and I can get him then." 
 
 "Yes, I reckon you can," and both the tone and the 
 smile on the old man's face were well calculated to
 
 84 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 anger a lad of Paul's excitable disposition, for it was 
 much the same as if he had been accused of telling a 
 falsehood. "Wa'al, so long's she ain't workin', let's 
 get down to this 'ere tale 'bout some one's comin' 
 ashore last night. It seems to me, lad, your head is 
 goin' wrong. You've been thinkin' so much about 
 these 'ere silver foxes that you can't get 'em out of 
 your mind, even after they're safe an' snug among the 
 bushes." 
 
 "I intend they shall stay there safe and snug," Paul 
 replied firmly, "if we can prevent such people as John 
 Ed Bingham from landing here." 
 
 "Sho now, boy! Don't you trouble your head 'bout 
 John Ed. He's got other fish to fry 'stead of scurryin' 
 'round this 'ere island for foxes what are wilder'n 
 hawks. Bless your heart, he couldn't trouble 'em if he 
 wanted to; an* besides, John Ed don't get far out of 
 his way without there's a dollar in it." 
 
 "There would be a good many dollars in it if he 
 could get one of those fox pelts." 
 
 "Well, there, perhaps you're right. I ain't a-sayin' 
 but that they're worth a heap of money, though I can't 
 bring myself to believe anybody would be fool enough 
 to pay sich a price as your father did. He can afford 
 to go into these 'ere schemes, an' seein's he's bent on 
 'em, people as have got foxes to sell are goin' to put 
 the price on mighty thick." 
 
 "What the foxes are worth has nothing to do with 
 the matter, Mr. Downs," Paul said hotly. "If you have 
 any doubts as to whether some person came on this 
 island after the last high tide, suppose you walk down
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 85 
 
 to the cove with me, for there can be found evidence 
 enough to convince even you." 
 
 "I don't know as there's any reason why I shouldn't, 
 lad, seein's all we've got to do is to catch a few pollock 
 or cunners to leave up by the spring 'cordin' to orders ; 
 but it seems to me it would be a good deal wiser for 
 you to try an' get some sleep, same's Sam and Ernest 
 are doin'." 
 
 "I'll attend to that part of it after father comes. I 
 want you to see that despite the watch which was kept 
 last night, some one came ashore, and unless we go 
 before the tide gets up the evidences of the visit will 
 be washed away." 
 
 "I'll do anythin' on airth to please you, lad, only I'm 
 beggin' of you not to take this 'ere business so much 
 to heart. I know how kind of excitable an' flirty boys 
 are, an' allers feel like advisin' 'em to keep cool. 
 Things will go on jest as well if you don't fret, as if 
 you wore your heart out." 
 
 "We'll go an' look at the signs," Paul said, not 
 minded to continue such a profitless conversation, and 
 leading the way at a pace which speedily caused Mr. 
 Downs to call for a halt, as he said : 
 
 "Old bodies don't move as spry as young ones, 
 an' what with the rheumatiz in my knee, an' a 
 crick in my back, I ain't in shape to go at any ten-knot 
 gait." 
 
 Despite his infirmities, however, Mr. Downs did 
 succeed in gaining the shore of the island just beyond 
 the southerly point of the cove, and Paul pointed out 
 to him the depression caused by the dory's bow, as well
 
 86 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 as the footprints in the sand, asking sharply mean- 
 while : 
 
 "What do you think of that? Isn't it evidence that 
 some one came ashore here when the tide was about 
 half ebb? That they went off in the direction of the 
 spring, and returned as if coming directly from your 
 house?" 
 
 "Well, now, lad, it does look amazin'ly like that, an' 
 yet I'm bound to say agin that it can't be, 'cause there 
 was you, an' Sam, and Ernest all on watch." 
 
 "I was near Swallow-Tailed cove at two o'clock last 
 night, which must have been about the time when the 
 boat came ashore. Ernest and Sam were somewhere 
 around here. We had had hard words; they insisted 
 that it would be as well to go up into the bushes near 
 the spring and sleep, regardless of the fact that we 
 have orders not to go there, and again that father ex- 
 pects they will remain on duty during the hours of 
 darkness." 
 
 "Now see here, sonny, let me try to persuade you 
 not to take this thing so hard. Your father he says 
 to me, says he, 'Daniel, can I trust you an' your boys 
 to take care of Barren island so's nobody can come 
 ashore except them as I send?' An' I says to him, 
 says I, 'Mr. Simpson, seein's how I've allers lived on 
 Barren island, an' seein's how you've the same as 
 bought it under my feet, why I can be depended on to 
 do jest whatever you want.' An' that's a fact, lad. 
 Now when you go to fussin' an' snoopin' 'round, seem' 
 signs in the sand here, an' gettin' fool notions in your 
 head that Sam an' Ernest reckoned on sleepin' when
 
 . AT SILVER FOX FARM 87 
 
 they ought'er be awake, why you're only muddlin' 
 things. We want to get on peaceable-like, an' do this 
 job as easy as it can be done, not strainin' ourselves. 
 The foxes will live jest as long if we take a little bit of 
 comfort now an' then, as if we was cahootin' 'em up 
 an' down this island with their tails tied together." 
 
 "To go back to what you can see here in the sand, 
 Mr. Downs," Paul interrupted. "Isn't it clear to you 
 that some one came ashore since high tide ?" 
 
 "Wa'al," the old man said as he rubbed his chin vig- 
 orously, "it does have a look that way, an' yet at the 
 same time I ain't quite prepared to admit it, seein'show 
 you three boys were on watch. Now I'll tell you what 
 we'd best do. I'll kinder look inter this thing, takin' 
 plenty of time to consider all the whys and wherefores, 
 while you go to the house an' get some sleep. Better 
 bottle up what you can 'twixt now an' when your 
 father comes, if so be he is comin'." 
 
 Paul could understand very readily that Mr. Downs 
 was not disposed to discuss the real question at issue, 
 and, in fact, it gave the lad but little concern, since he 
 believed his father would soon be on the island to take 
 charge. 
 
 Therefore it was that he seemingly acted upon the 
 farmer's suggestion, by going to the house and asking 
 Mrs. Downs for a couple of blankets to be carried to 
 the shanty, adding in explanation : 
 
 "I shall be obliged to spend a good deal of my time 
 there, and count on putting up a bunk in order to be 
 comfortable. Two blankets will be enough for me this 
 warm weather."
 
 88 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 The good woman was loud in her protestations 
 against his proposition, insisting that her beds were 
 "good an' sweet," and it would be better for him to 
 use them than run the risk of getting cold by sleeping 
 in such a place. 
 
 The lad persisted, however, and finally she brought 
 to him not only blankets, but a small straw mattress, 
 evidently of home manufacture. 
 
 "If you're bound to be foolish, my son, I'm bound 
 you shall be comfortable, so far as it's in my power to 
 make you. I know what it is to be a mother, an' won't 
 see another woman's son sleepin' cold or goin' hungry 
 if I can help myself." 
 
 If Paul had attempted to combat all her arguments, 
 or answer all the questions she asked regarding this 
 idea of sleeping in the shanty, the day might have been 
 spent before any definite conclusion was arrived at; 
 but instead of wasting his breath he gathered up the 
 blankets and the bed, hurrying off in the direction of 
 Swallow-Tailed cove while Mrs. Downs stood in the 
 doorway loudly expressing her views of "boys who 
 would be so pig-headed." 
 
 Paul might have put up the bunk at once but for 
 the fact that he was weary of body and his eyes heavy 
 with slumber, therefore on arriving at the shanty he 
 threw the bed upon the flooring of boards, covered it 
 with blankets, and laid down to dreamless sleep. 
 
 He was awakened by the opening of the door, and 
 starting up suddenly saw Sam holding in his hands a 
 tray on which were several dishes covered with a 
 snowy white towel, the visitor saying as he laid his
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 89 
 
 burden on the trunk containing the telegraph instru- 
 ments : 
 
 "Ma'm got tired of waitin'. She's kept this stuff 
 in the oven nigh to two hours, thinkin' you'd come, 
 an' when I turned out she allowed I'd got to bring it 
 up here, though it does seem as if you might set down 
 to the table with us like Christian folks." 
 
 "Have you had dinner?" Paul exclaimed, starting 
 to his feet hurriedly and gazing out of the door. 
 "What time is it?" 
 
 "Nigh to three o'clock." 
 
 "Three o'clock! and Ned was in his station at 
 twelve-thirty! Why I've slept more than six hours." 
 
 "I reckon that's what you have done," Sam replied 
 with a grin. "You was reelin' it off mighty loud when 
 I opened the door." 
 
 "Has father come yet?" 
 
 "Haven't seen anythin' of him. Didn't you allow 
 that 'ere wireless tangle of yours said he was comin' 
 at noon?" 
 
 "That's what he promised," Paul said curtly as he 
 stepped out of the shanty to where he could have a view 
 of the cove, much as if believing his father must be in 
 sight. 
 
 "Did he promise it, or was it somethin' you 
 dreamed?" and Sam's tone was exceedingly aggravat- 
 ing. "You've got a good many queer notions about 
 what this 'ere wireless thing of yours, as you call it, 
 can do, an', as father says, it ain't any ways certain 
 but that you are gettin' mixed a good deal in your 
 reckonin'. I ain't claimin' but you believe you've
 
 90 
 
 talked with the folks over to Seaview," he added as 
 Paul turned upon him angrily. "Father says most 
 likely you are honest enough in it; but things ain't 
 quite what you're allowin' they are." 
 
 Paul made no reply, save to say as he laid hold of 
 the shanty door : 
 
 "If you will go out I'll lock the door. Father must 
 come soon, and I'll be at the cove to meet him." 
 
 "But what about your dinner?" and Sam made no 
 attempt to do as he was bidden. 
 
 "That can wait. Go out so that I may lock the 
 door." 
 
 "An' hold my hand on my head till your father gets 
 here, you mean, eh ?" the island boy said as he slowly 
 obeyed the command. "Wa'al now see here, Paul, 
 I'm allowin ' it will be a mighty long while 'tween 
 meals if you don't eat before he comes. Anyhow, it's 
 none of my business if you want to starve yourself." 
 
 Paul had locked the door and was walking rapidly 
 toward the cove before Sam ceased speaking. He was 
 reproaching himself with having slept when he should 
 have been on duty. It seemed to him certain that Ned 
 was in the Seaview Station exactly at the hour ap- 
 pointed, and that he must have called and called with- 
 out receiving any reply. Perhaps his father had tried 
 to send him a message, telling why he could not come 
 as agreed upon, of which he must remain in ignorance 
 because of having neglected his duty, and for the time 
 being it seemed to him that he was as culpable in this 
 respect as Sam and Ernest had been the night previous. 
 
 The farmer was at the head of the cove when Paul
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 91 
 
 came down looking woefully disappointed, and he said 
 with an expression which was equally as irritating as 
 Sam's grin : 
 
 "I allow that 'ere contraption of yours didn't tell the 
 truth when it said your father would be here at noon, 
 eh?" 
 
 "He will come before night," Paul replied sharply. 
 
 "Did you get the message on air, same's the other?" 
 
 "I got it directly from my father, and if I hadn't 
 allowed myself to sleep when I should have been on 
 duty, we would know by this time why he isn't here." 
 
 "Wa'al, I'm glad you've got such comfortin' 
 thoughts, lad," Mr. Downs replied with a drawl. 
 "Some folks would have turned square about an' 
 agreed that there wasn't anythin' in this air business, 
 while then agin, some others would keep on allowin' 
 it was all right, same's you're doin', so as I said before, 
 I'm glad you've got so much to comfort you." 
 
 "Father will be here before sunset," Paul repeated 
 as he turned sharply around, intent only on going 
 where it would not be possible to hear or see either Mr. 
 Downs or his sons, and the farmer called after him : 
 
 "If you haven't got it any straighter now than you 
 had this mornin', why we won't stay out of bed 
 watchin' for him."
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 A WELCOME ARRIVAL 
 
 THE only question in Paul's mind, aside from that 
 as to why his father's arrival had been delayed, was 
 how he might occupy his time until six o'clock, when 
 Ned was to be at the Seaview station, without coming 
 in contact with the Downs family. 
 
 It was only natural he should go directly to the 
 shanty after his rather disagreeable interview with the 
 farmer, and immediately after arriving there he hit 
 upon a plan for causing the time to seem to pass more 
 rapidly than if he remained idly on the watch for his 
 father's coming. 
 
 "I'll build that bunk now, and fix up the shanty so 
 there won't be any need of going to the farm-house 
 except when I'm hungry," he said as he entered the 
 small apartment, and then, his glance falling upon the 
 food which Sam had brought some time previous, he 
 decided to begin operations by eating the long-delayed 
 dinner.- 
 
 Mrs. Downs had sent him sufficient food to provide 
 a hearty meal for at least three hungry boys, and there- 
 fore, when he had hurriedly satisfied his hunger, there 
 remained in the way of provisions enough for supper 
 and breakfast. 
 
 "I'll have to make a cupboard to keep the surplus 
 food in," he said, speaking aloud as if in the sound of 
 his own voice he found a certain sense of companion- 
 
 09
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 93 
 
 ship, "for there is no knowing how many times I may 
 find it desirable to skip a meal at the farm-house. Of 
 course I shan't want to do so to-night, because father 
 must be here before supper-time; but it's a good idea 
 to be prepared for almost anything on Barren island, 
 as I have already found out." 
 
 There was sufficient lumber near at hand for his 
 limited wants, and before the time set for Ned's visit 
 to the Seaview station, not only the bunk, but a .rude 
 cupboard, had been built against the side of the shanty. 
 
 He did not neglect to keep a sharp lookout over the 
 water in the direction of Seaview while he labored, 
 and his disappointment and perplexity increased each 
 moment, for, as far as his vision extended, there was 
 no craft, however small, to be seen. 
 
 As on the previous night, he succeeded in working 
 himself into a most uncomfortable frame of mind 
 through imagining all sorts of disagreeable things 
 which might have happened to his father, and by spec- 
 ulating unwisely upon the possible course which Mr. 
 Downs and his sons would pursue after having proven, 
 as they believed, that the wireless telegraph was a de- 
 lusion if not a snare. 
 
 The only pleasing thing about this working, wait- 
 ing and watching was that neither of the Downs fam- 
 ily came near him, and perhaps it was fortunate they 
 remained absent, for he was in such a nervous, excited 
 frame of mind that had Sam stood before him with 
 that exasperating grin upon his face, the chances are 
 there would have been a wordy quarrel between the 
 two, if nothing more.
 
 9.4 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 Fifteen minutes before six Paul had his instruments 
 in working order, and began calling n-d with a view 
 of having something with which to occupy his mind 
 and his fingers. 
 
 Promptly at the time set Ned answered the call, and 
 feverishly Paul sent out wave sounds which read, as 
 his friend received them : 
 
 "Has father left Seaview yet?" 
 
 ''I tried to tell you about it this noon. Where were 
 you? Wasn't the station working?" came back the 
 reply, and Paul almost winced as he wired back: 
 
 "I was chasing around the island all last night, and 
 when I fell asleep this morning, did not awaken till 
 three o'clock. Where is father?" 
 
 "He couldn't find Zenas Gushing as early as he ex- 
 pected, and decided to wait until this evening in order 
 to learn for himself if you were right in believing that 
 the Downs boys did not keep sharp watch. His orders 
 are for you to stay in the station, giving no heed to any- 
 thing outside. If he can land without their knowing 
 it, he will join you at the shanty." 
 
 "Is he coming in my old boat ?" Paul asked, and the 
 reply was received : 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "He will have to lengthen the muffler, or they will 
 hear him before he gets within two miles." 
 
 "Don't worry about that. He has got a better 
 scheme than fooling with the muffler. I am in a 
 hurry. Have you anything more to say ?" 
 
 "Sure father is coming?" 
 
 "Certain; but don't tell the Downses."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 95 
 
 "O. K. Good-by." 
 
 Ned delayed long enough to wire back his good-by, 
 and communication between Barren island and Sea- 
 view was shut off; but during the brief exchange of 
 words it was as if a new boy had taken Paul's place 
 one who was free from care, and anticipated no little 
 pleasure, as might have been told from the expression 
 on his face. 
 
 "Now Sam Downs can jolly me all he pleases," Paul 
 said to himself with a chuckle of satisfaction as he 
 closed the lid of the heavy trunk and locked it, after 
 having switched off the motor. "The father as well as 
 the sons have come to believe by this time that there is 
 nothing in this wireless business, and between now and 
 midnight, unless I am greatly mistaken, a dozen people 
 might land here secretly." 
 
 At this moment the horn could be heard sounding a 
 prolonged and peremptory summons to supper, and the 
 lad from Seaview decided that he would join the fam- 
 ily, although so far as concerned his appetite there was 
 no good reason for so doing. 
 
 As Paul had expected, Mr. Downs and his sons had 
 very much to say concerning the possibility of sending 
 messages on air, and asked many questions as to why 
 he had imagined his father would come across to the 
 island that day. 
 
 An hour previous such a fire of raillery and incredul- 
 ity would have provoked him to anger ; but now he en- 
 joyed their wilfully disagreeable remarks, because of 
 knowing that before morning the tables would be 
 turned.
 
 96 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "No, I am not ready to say that the wireless tele- 
 graph doesn't work exactly as it should; but father 
 failed to come when I believed he would," Paul said 
 in reply to a bantering question from Mr. Downs. 
 "Within the next twenty-four hours, however, you are 
 going to be willing to admit that all I have said is 
 true." 
 
 "That is right, lad. Keep puttin' it off. Last night 
 we was goin' to know before mornin'; this mornin' 
 we would know before night, an' now we'll know be- 
 fore to-morrow. I'm allowin ' the summer will be 
 passed with you still settin' the day ahead." 
 
 Because Paul made no reply Mrs. Downs found, for 
 the first time, an opportunity to ask him his reasons 
 for not coming to dinner, and why he failed to 
 bring back with him the dishes on which she had sent 
 the food. 
 
 Sam undertook to answer the question by explain- 
 ing, in what he thought a highly humorous manner, 
 the condition in which he had found the operator when 
 he entered the building, and Paul added to the fund of 
 information by saying there was so much food remain- 
 ing that he had kept it in the shanty in order to have 
 a lunch during the night, in the event of his remaining 
 there. 
 
 "Mercy on us! Are you cotmtin' on stayin' out of 
 your bed agin?" Mrs. Downs exclaimed in dismay. 
 "There's no sense in a boy like you workin' himself 
 up over such a whifflin' creeter as a fox. Father tells 
 me you've got an idee Sam an' Ernest ain't doin' what 
 they ought'er. Why bless your heart, Paul, they was
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 97 
 
 born an' bred on this 'ere island, so it stands to reason 
 both of 'em know every inch of it, an' it would be a 
 pretty smart kind of a man who could get past 'em 
 without bein' seen or heard." 
 
 "I'm goin' to take your word for it to-night, at least, 
 Mrs. Downs," Paul said with a serious air. "I do not 
 intend to stand guard while they are on duty; but I 
 must stay in the shanty in case any one at Seaview 
 calls me." 
 
 "Wa'al, that won't be so bad seein's how you've got 
 a bed an' blankets," the good woman replied reflec- 
 tively ; "but it does seem as if you ought'er come inter 
 the house like a decent boy." 
 
 "He'll be as well off there as here, mother," Mr. 
 Downs said decidedly, and Paul fancied he could de- 
 tect an expression of relief on the faces of Sam and 
 Ernest when he had said it was not his intention to 
 stand watch during the night. 
 
 "That 'ere shanty is water-tight, if two thickness of 
 boards can make it so, an' after he has put up a bunk 
 matters will be right snug." 
 
 "I have only built a framework for the mattress; 
 but I've made a closet to keep my food in, and if there 
 was any need for it I might remain there two or three 
 days and not suffer discomfort or inconvenience," Paul 
 said cheerily, rising from the table after having gone 
 through the form of eating supper without consuming 
 any great amount of food. 
 
 "But surely, child, you're not going back there so 
 soon!" Mrs. Downs cried in a motherly tone. "Stay 
 here an' visit with us a while. It don't really seem as
 
 98 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 if I had seen you, 'cause you've been out of doors so 
 much since your friend went back. Now he was a real 
 likable boy ; didn't bother his head any too much 'bout 
 what was bein' done; took things as they come, an' 
 was lively 'round the house." 
 
 "Perhaps you might say the same of me if I hadn't 
 been feeling so anxious about the foxes," Paul replied 
 with a laugh, "but most likely that will wear off after 
 a while." 
 
 "It sure will, " Mr. Downs said in a tone of convic- 
 tion, while Sam and Ernest grinned exasperatingly. 
 "You've kind of got the idee in your head that this 
 island an' everything on it would go to everlastin' 
 smash if you didn't keep an eye out, an' when you 
 find that things will run 'bout the same whether you're 
 on deck or not, why it won't come so hard on you. 
 Be you really goin' now, instead of stoppin' a spell 
 with mother an' me?" 
 
 "I want to make ready for the night, and shall feel 
 easier in mind if I'm there," Paul replied, and Sam 
 added with a grin: 
 
 "He wants to get that contraption of his workin' 
 'twixt now an' mornin', so's he can prove that it's what 
 he claims for it." 
 
 "It'll be a long while 'twixt now an' another day if 
 the sun don't shine till he prove that messages may be 
 sent on air," Ernest added, and his father joined him 
 in a noisy laugh of derision, during which Paul left 
 the house. 
 
 Once again at the shanty he set his instrument and 
 the motor ready to be connected at an instant's notice,
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 99 
 
 and lighted the lantern, hanging it where the rays 
 might be seen through the small window as a guide for 
 his father's steps. 
 
 Then he threw himself upon the bed, thinking how 
 snug and comfortable everything was, when he could 
 thus shut himself in from those whom he had begun 
 to dislike because of not being able to trust them, and 
 again reproaching himself because he had not taken 
 advantage of the second opportunity which presented 
 itself, to inform his father of the fittings that would 
 be needed in order to put the disabled boat into com- 
 mission. 
 
 "I shall have to make a memorandum of such 
 things as ought to be done, and pin it up on the wall 
 so that when I am in communication with Ned the 
 writing can be seen," he thought, and would have car- 
 ried the idea into execution then and there but that he 
 was resting so comfortably and securely both in body 
 and mind. "Of course I shan't go to sleep after hav- 
 ing had so much of it to-day, and I'll be able to hear 
 father when he comes. How surprised the Downs 
 family will be!" 
 
 Then it was that he seemingly slipped away from 
 his surroundings ; ceased to think of anything unpleas- 
 ant, and his slow, regular breathing told that he had 
 gone over into the land of Nod even while deciding 
 that he would not do so. 
 
 It seemed to him as if he had but just lost himself 
 in the unconsciousness of slumber when the sudden 
 opening of the door admitted a gust of cold wind, and 
 in a twinkling he was on his feet facing Sam, who
 
 ioo THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 wore, as usual, that grin which, as Paul afterward 
 said, "got on his nerves terribly." 
 
 "Snoozin', eh?" the lad asked, looking around curi- 
 ously as if expecting to see something unusual. 
 
 "Why shouldn't I sleep while you and Ernest are 
 on watch ?" Paul replied, although at the same time he 
 felt a certain sense of shame because he had allowed 
 himself to yield so readily to slumber. 
 
 "Wa'al, I can't say as there's any reason why you 
 shouldn't ; but I'd be willin' to change places with you 
 this very minute, for it's a nasty kind of a night with 
 the wind off here to the nor' east, an' that's a fact. We 
 don't often get nor'east gales in the summer ; but when 
 they do come a fellow feels 'em. Had four last sea- 
 son, an' there was a full week when we couldn't launch 
 a boat. Say, what's the sense in standin' watch to- 
 night? Listen to the breakers off Swallow-Tailed 
 cove ! I tell you the surf is reg'larly roarin', an' who'd 
 think of landin'." 
 
 "It seems to me this would be the very night when 
 you might expect your friend, John Ed Bingham." 
 
 "Haven't got him out of your mind yet, eh?" Sam 
 asked, his grin broadening until Paul was quite confi- 
 dent that he should lose his temper if he gazed at the 
 lad any longer. 
 
 "No, and I shan't be likely to forget him until it's 
 known who landed here last night, disabled the Hamp- 
 ton boat, an' came up on the shore." 
 
 "Wa'al, now do you know, Paul, I'm kinder 
 thinkin' you dreamed that, same's you did about get- 
 tin' a message from your father."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 101 
 
 "Take a look at the boat, and say whether you call 
 that a dream or not." 
 
 "Ernest an' I went aboard of her this afternoon, an' 
 we've kinder come to the belief you left things that 
 way. I remember how mixed up you was about the 
 foxes, an' as likely as not you did it unbeknownst to 
 yourself." 
 
 "A fellow who owns a boat like mine is very likely 
 to disable her without knowing it," Paul said scorn- 
 fully, and Sam was satisfied to let the conversation 
 drop there, since he had turned it from the question 
 as to whether John Ed Bingham had visited Barren 
 island or not. 
 
 "Wa'al, what do you say 'bout knockin' off, seein's 
 how a storm is brewin'?" 
 
 "It isn't for me to decide," Paul said sharply. 
 "Your orders were to keep strict watch, and certain it 
 is that any one who came here in a boat now could 
 beach her in the cove without danger." 
 
 "But who's comin' ?" 
 
 "That's a question which can't be answered, as a 
 matter of course. Your agreement was to keep watch 
 every night, and nothing was said about turning in 
 when the weather was dirty." 
 
 "Why is it you ain't snoopin' 'round the same as 
 before?" 
 
 "Because your mother insisted that you and Ernest 
 would do the work." 
 
 "We'll see to it that nobody comes ashore, an' that's 
 our end of the bargain," Sam replied sulkily. "But 
 it seems kinder tough to peg away from now till
 
 102 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 mornin', while you are boxed in here so snug an' com- 
 fortable." 
 
 "I haven't been hired, or ordered, to stand watch." 
 
 "Oh, you haven't? It seems to me you're singin' a 
 different tune from what you did last night?" 
 
 "All I sung then was that it was my duty to see that 
 you did your work faithfully." 
 
 "An' you're kind'er shirkin' it now 'cause the 
 weather ain't fine?" 
 
 "I'm obeyin' orders," Paul said sharply, "and you 
 are to do the same." 
 
 Sam looked much as if about to make some angry 
 reply; then, evidently thinking better of it, turned on 
 his heel and went out, slamming the door behind him 
 with a force which shook every timber in the frail 
 structure. 
 
 Although he had not so intended, Master Downs 
 had done a good turn for Paul by awakening him, be- 
 cause the lad would have been covered with shame 
 and confusion had his father found him asleep, even 
 though his orders were only to remain snug inside the 
 shanty without taking part in guard duty. 
 
 "They don't intend to stand watch after dark, and if 
 father shouldn't come as he has agreed, I'm certain 
 both those boys will go quietly to bed to-morrow 
 night whatever the weather may be," Paul said to 
 himself as he paced to and fro the shanty floor to drive 
 the heaviness of slumber from his eyelids. 
 
 Twice during the next hour the lad went out of 
 doors and walked around the station to insure wake- 
 fulness, after which he became seriously alarmed con-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 103 
 
 cerning his father, for the wind was increasing in 
 force, and to his inexperienced eyes it seemed certain 
 a storm would break before midnight. 
 
 "The old dory could hold her own in a gale like 
 this," he said half to himself; "but I should want to 
 bring her up into the wind, without making any at- 
 tempt to gain the island, if I was on board. Besides, 
 it is doubtful if father knows the course well enough 
 to pick out the entrance to the cove while it is so dark." 
 
 It was not a difficult matter for Paul to work him- 
 self, by aid of his imagination, into a very unenviable 
 frame of mind, and he was nervously pacing the floor 
 when the door opened softly, causing an exclamation 
 of joy and relief to burst from his lips, for as the visi- 
 tor stepped within the feeble rays of light cast by the 
 lantern, he saw his father. 
 
 "If you could only know how glad I am that you 
 have come!" he cried passionately, and Mr. Simpson, 
 putting his arm around the lad's neck affectionately, 
 said with a laugh : 
 
 "I cannot believe that your joy is much greater than 
 mine, for Zenas and I had a rough time of it when we 
 shut off the motor and took to the oars." 
 
 As he spoke Mr. Simpson half turned, and Paul saw 
 a young fellow nineteen or twenty years of age, heavily 
 built, with an honest, friendly looking face, who had 
 closed the door behind him and was standing with his 
 back against it until the father and son should have ex- 
 changed greetings. 
 
 "Why did you shut off the motor?" Paul asked in 
 surprise.
 
 104 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "Because your muffler doesn't muffle, and we knew 
 that our watchmen here on the island might hear us a 
 long distance away." 
 
 "Did you land without seeing them, sir?" 
 
 "Ay, that we did, and what's more, circled around 
 the farm-house without taking especial heed as to 
 whether we made any noise or not, and then came 
 across here. You were right in insisting that I should 
 see for myself, Paul, how the work is being done. To 
 my mind it is of the greatest importance that we pre- 
 vent any one from coming ashore until the foxes are 
 domesticated; and whether that be true or not, I am 
 paying for such work, and intend it shall be done even 
 if we are obliged to send away the Downs family, root 
 and branch." 
 
 "Then you two have been rowing in this heavy 
 sea?" Paul said solicitously, and Zenas Gushing re- 
 plied with a laugh which was much like the purring of 
 a cat: 
 
 "It seems as if we'd been at the oars full half 
 the night. That 'ere screw dragged water terrible, 
 an' it was like pullin' a mud scow to work the dory 
 ahead." 
 
 "I was afraid you wouldn't find the entrance to the 
 cove." 
 
 "No fear of that," Mr. Simpson replied. "Zenas 
 knows this island almost as well as do the Downs fam- 
 ily, and put us in here at the first attempt. Where are 
 the watchers?" 
 
 "Somewhere asleep, I fancy," Paul said cheerily, 
 feeling now that all his responsibility was at an end,
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 105 
 
 and he told of Sam's visit earlier in the night, repeat- 
 ing the conversation. 
 
 "Matters will go on different from this out," Mr. 
 Simpson added confidently. "I can depend on Zenas, 
 and between the two of you it should be possible to 
 keep the Downs boys at their work. The question now 
 is as to whether we will arouse the family? I was 
 forced to come away without any supper, and am need- 
 ing something in the way of food." 
 
 Now it was that Paul rejoiced because he had not 
 been sufficiently hungry to eat all that had been sent to 
 him, and he threw open the rude closet with an air of 
 triumph. 
 
 In a twinkling the tired men were eating heartily, 
 and while they were thus engaged Paul repeated the 
 substance of all that had been said or done since the 
 foxes were set free. 
 
 "Yes, I know John Ed Bingham too well, perhaps," 
 Mr. Simpson said in reply to the question of his son's. 
 "Some years ago I got out a warrant for his arrest on 
 the charge of stealing canvas and spare rigging. It 
 was never served owing to the fact that the old smug- 
 gler took good care to give Seaview a wide berth. 
 Since you telegraphed yesterday I have learned from 
 good authority that he knows of the silver fox scheme, 
 and has made boasts that he will be the first to mar- 
 ket a pelt. If Bingham was the only man along the 
 coast whom we had reason to fear might do us a mis- 
 chief, I should believe it possible to guard our stock; 
 but unfortunately. there are others almost as disrep- 
 utable. If Mr. Downs and his sons do not act in
 
 io6 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 strict accordance with their agreement, there is a fair 
 chance I shall lose the money invested in what very 
 many people believe to be the wildest, most ridiculous 
 proposition ever made." 
 
 "Meaning that it would not be possible to raise 
 young ones from the foxes you brought, sir?" Paul 
 asked. 
 
 "Yes, that is the idea. It makes little difference 
 whether any one agrees with me or not; but it does 
 seem strange that people can be so pig-headed as to 
 claim that we cannot domesticate a silver fox as well 
 as we can any other animal. To say that they won't 
 breed here on Barren island as well as in their native 
 haunts, seems to me foolish. The only difficulty is 
 to accustom them to the place, and then the greater 
 portion of the work is done. If, however, they are 
 harried and chased before having recovered from 
 their long imprisonment, the chances are against us. 
 And because of such fact, I insist that no one shall 
 come ashore here without my permission." 
 
 "But can you prevent people from landing?" Paul 
 asked anxiously. "Suppose a vessel should come in 
 here to-night for harbor, have you the power to order 
 her away." 
 
 "No, not if she makes port to ride out a storm. But 
 I surely have the right to prevent her crew from com- 
 ing ashore. This island has been leased by me, with 
 the privilege of purchasing it at any time within three 
 years, therefore it is the same as my property. With 
 the majority of those who come from motives of curi- 
 osity, we shall have no trouble. It is those who are
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 107 
 
 willing to commit a crime for the sake of making a 
 few dollars whom we must guard against." 
 
 "And how long are you going to keep people on 
 guard here?" 
 
 "I hope that by the end of a year, if my instructions 
 are carried out to the letter, those who would kill the 
 animals in order to carry away the pelts will have be- 
 come discouraged. The curious ones will soon learn 
 that it is no use to make the voyage out here if they 
 are not permitted to land." 
 
 Then Mr. Simpson went into a long discussion of 
 rare foxes, such as the silver, the blue, and the black, 
 whose pelts are of great value; but there is no reason 
 why his words should be set down here, because we 
 can read at greater length of such animals in any 
 standard work on zoology. 
 
 The night was nearly spent before Mr. Simpson, so 
 interested was he in the subject, had concluded his re- 
 marks upon foxes in general and silver foxes in par- 
 ticular. Zenas Gushing, who was not particularly in- 
 terested in zoology, owing to his inability to under- 
 stand all the terms used, had long since betaken him- 
 self to Paul's bed, and was sleeping so noisily one 
 could almost fancy the shanty trembled under the vi- 
 brations. The wind had been increasing in violence 
 until now,. at an hour before break of day, it was blow- 
 ing what seamen would call "half a gale," and driving 
 before it the first tokens of a downpour of rain. 
 
 "If the three of us can find room on that bed of 
 yours, I think we had better try to get some sleep, my 
 son, and at the same time such close companionship
 
 io8 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 may serve to keep us warm, for I must confess that as 
 a protection against the northeast wind your shanty 
 is only a partial success." 
 
 The lad was quite willing to act upon this sugges- 
 tion, for now that his father was here, and he knew 
 there was no longer any necessity for him to personally 
 hold the Downs family strictly to their bargain, he was 
 more than ready to atone for the lack of sleep. 
 
 Five minutes later, lying under the blankets as 
 snugly as sardines are packed in a box, Mr. Simpson, 
 his son, and Zenas slept the sleep of wearied mortals. 
 
 Two hours later the horn was sounded again and 
 again from the farm-house without being heard by the 
 lad it was intended to summon, and shortly after Mr. 
 Downs, whether from motives of hospitality or curi- 
 osity one could not say, came into the shanty without 
 ceremony, bringing with him a gust of wind and a 
 shower of rain which aroused the sleepers on the in- 
 stant. 
 
 A most comical picture it would be, if one could de- 
 pict in words the varying expressions on the farmer's 
 face when he saw his employer rising from the rude 
 bed, and standing before him. 
 
 He gazed first at Mr. Simpson and then at the tele- 
 graph instruments, as if asking if it was really possi- 
 ble that the "contraption" had summoned the owner of 
 Silver Fox Farm. Ever and again he glanced at Paul, 
 and the lad fancied he could see in Mr. Downs's eyes 
 the question as to whether all that had been said to the 
 boy by the dwellers on the island was known to this 
 unexpected visitor. There were surprise, apprehension,
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 109 
 
 doubt, and disagreeable anticipation, all and at the 
 same time written upon the weather-beaten face, and 
 it seemed impossible for the old man to give utterance 
 to a single word. 
 
 "Well, Mr. Downs, weren't you expecting to see 
 me?" Mr. Simpson asked in a friendly tone. "Didn't 
 Paul tell you I was coming?" 
 
 "Wa'al now, neighbor, he's been singin' that song 
 ever since yesterday, an' you hadn't come up to last 
 night. Is it true you sent word to him on the air that 
 you'd be here?" 
 
 "I sent him a message over the wireless to that ef- 
 fect." 
 
 "Sho, now! You don't really mean to tell me that 
 he an' that boy what helped him build this shanty, can 
 talk to each other while one is at Seaview and the other 
 here, do you?" 
 
 "Why, certainly. I should have supposed Paul 
 would have explained everything to you long before 
 this." 
 
 "Wa'al, he did make a good deal of talk, but bless 
 your soul, who could put any credit in it when they 
 knew there wasn't nothin' 'twixt and between the two 
 places but air. What's brought you over here so sud- 
 den like?" 
 
 "Paul told me that night before last some person 
 landed here in a boat, despite the fact that you and 
 your sons were supposed to be on watch. I haye too 
 much money at stake to warrant my neglecting such 
 information as that, therefore came over to learn more 
 regarding the matter."
 
 no THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "Wa'al now, neighbor, I reckon you've wasted your 
 time an' your labor," Mr. Downs began hesitatingly. 
 "To tell the truth, he did see what he allowed was the 
 mark of a dory on the sand, an' there were some foot- 
 prints ; but bless your soul how could you, or he, or any 
 of us tell whether they were made then, or four an' 
 twenty hours before?" 
 
 "If they were plainly visible half-way between high 
 and low water mark, and the tide had ebbed, it is cer- 
 tainly sufficient proof that they were made within 
 three hours of the time he found them," Mr. Simpson 
 said sternly, and Farmer Downs replied with some 
 hesitation : 
 
 "Wa'al, wa'al, perhaps that might be, neighbor ; but 
 at the same time I ain't allowin' as there has been any 
 harm done. My boys, as Paul can tell you, were up 
 an* 'round all night." 
 
 "It matters little how much they were up, if it was 
 impossible for them to stop any person from coming 
 ashore, and I intend to take such measures as will pre- 
 vent anything of the kind from occurring again." 
 
 "Do you mean to say that we ain't workin' to satisfy 
 you, neighbor?" 
 
 "You certainly are not, if people can land here with- 
 out your knowledge, and the proof this last may be 
 possible, is that Zenas Gushing and I came ashore be- 
 fore midnight, walked entirely around your house, 
 and over here, without seeing any member of your 
 family." 
 
 Mr. Downs's eyes dropped as he tried in vain to 
 assume an expression of astonishment, and he was ap- 
 parently unable to utter a word.
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 QUESTIONABLE VISITORS 
 
 MR. SIMPSON waited in vain while one might have 
 counted twenty for the farmer to make some reply, 
 and then, as if dismissing the matter from his mind, 
 he said in a friendly tone: 
 
 "I fancy the coming of Zenas and myself won't in- 
 commode your wife, so far as breakfast is concerned ?" 
 
 "Not a bit of it; not a bit of it, sir," and Mr. Downs 
 seemed to have recovered his composure in a certain 
 degree. "Breakfast is ready, an' all that's needed is 
 for you to come down to the house an' get it. I allow 
 there's enough to eat, no matter how many may come." 
 
 Mr. Simpson led the way out into the storm, mo- 
 tioning for Paul and Zenas to follow him, and the 
 surprise of the Downs boys, when the newcomers en- 
 tered the farm-house, was in the highest degree comi- 
 cal. 
 
 "Here's Mr. Simpson come over last night to make 
 us a call, mother, an' I declare I can't understand how 
 he landed without you boys seein' him," the farmer 
 began in what he intended should be a jovial tone. 
 "I'm allowin' you kept watch same as I cautioned you 
 to do, from sunset to sunrise, eh?" 
 
 "That's what we did," Ernest replied stoutly, "an' 
 never went under cover till it began to rain. Where 
 did you come ashore, sir?" he asked, assuming an ex- 
 pression of innocent surprise. 
 
 HI
 
 ii2 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "In the cove. You can see where we've hauled our 
 boat out," Mr. Simpson replied quietly, as if it was a 
 matter of but little concern to him. 
 
 ''Well, I declare!" Sam exclaimed. "An* you come 
 here in the dark? Seems as though you must have a 
 pretty good idee of Barren island to run in without 
 strikin' either point of the cove?" 
 
 "Yes," was the gentleman's quiet reply, "it is al- 
 most as much of a mystery as why you failed to see us 
 when we came up here to the house;" and jthen, with- 
 out waiting for an invitation, he seated himself at the 
 table. 
 
 Mrs. Downs had not spoken when the newcomers 
 entered the house; but she gazed in what to Paul 
 seemed very much like fear, first at her husband and 
 sons, and then at Mr. Simpson and Zenas, seeming to 
 be in a daze of bewilderment until the guests were 
 seated. Then she bustled around in a most lively fash- 
 ion to prepare more food, and the farmer, taking his 
 accustomed seat, indulged in a long blessing on the 
 food, which included a prayer for the safety of those 
 who had so unexpectedly come among them. Mr. 
 Downs exerted himself to talk on this subject or that, 
 choosing anything rather than Silver Fox Farm, or 
 the duties of himself and his sons. 
 
 "I don't allow you calkerlated to make any very 
 great visit?" the farmer said when Mr. Simpson rose 
 from the table, Zenas and Paul following his example ; 
 "but it looks as if you was here for quite a spell now 
 that the storm has set in. What can the boys or me 
 do for you this mornin'?"
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 113 
 
 "Nothing, thank you," was the almost curt reply. 
 "I'll have a look around the island, and after that has 
 been done it may be possible I shall decide to change 
 my plans somewhat." 
 
 "Surely you'll not go out in the storm?" Mrs. 
 Downs cried solicitously, and Paul's father laughed 
 as he replied: 
 
 "A little rain won't do any very great harm, and 
 perhaps this weather is best suited to my purpose, 
 though I'm free to confess I shouldn't have chosen a 
 northeast gale as the time for my visit." 
 
 Then he, followed by Zehas and Paul, went out of 
 the house, leaving Mr. Downs and his two boys still 
 at the table looking decidedly uncomfortable in mind. 
 
 "We brought over a stove for your shanty, Paul," 
 Mr. Simpson said when they were outside facing the 
 furious gale. "Unless you're afraid of getting wet it 
 may be as well for Zenas and you to set it up. We 
 shall make our headquarters at the station, rather than 
 the farm-house, and a little heat there won't go amiss." 
 
 "Where are you going, sir?" 
 
 "For a cruise around the shore. This is a good time 
 to ascertain at what point any one can land during a 
 heavy sea. I'll join you at the shanty by the time you 
 have got the stove in running order." 
 
 "I wonder how it happened that father thought of 
 bringing the stove?" Paul asked curiously as he and 
 Zenas went toward the direction of the cove, while 
 Mr. Simpson followed the line of coast southward. 
 
 "I reckon after you'd got through telegraphin' how 
 things were going on around here, he began to have
 
 ii4 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 an idee your wireless business was a pretty big thing, 
 an' it might be you'd need to stay near it quite a spell. 
 Seein's how we didn't want to get here till after dark, 
 so's to find out whether the Downses were doing as 
 they should, he had plenty of time to think of all the 
 little fixin's that might^be needed. What puzzles me 
 is why you didn't tell him what was wanted to put the 
 Hampton boat in commission, for he's allowin' that 
 you an' I shall cruise 'round the island nights, if 
 things look suspicious." 
 
 "It's simply a case of forgetting what I should have 
 been exceedingly careful to remember," Paul replied 
 bitterly, "and now it will be necessary to make a trip 
 to Seaview in the old boat." 
 
 "Well, don't let that bother you, for you'll have 
 plenty of time; 'cordin' to what your father said he's 
 allowin' to stay here quite a spell so's to make certain 
 that them he hires does what he's laid out." 
 
 The two were well soaked with rain by the time they 
 had carried the light sheet-iron stove from the cove 
 to the shanty ; but the work of putting it in place did 
 not require many moments, and Mr. Simpson could 
 not have made more than half the circuit of the island 
 before they were seated comfortably in front of a roar- 
 ing fire, drying their steaming garments. 
 
 The interior of the shanty, rude though it was, must 
 have looked decidedly cheerful to Mr. Simpson when, 
 after a tramp of more than an hour, a goodly portion 
 of which time had been spent facing the northeast gale, 
 he opened the door to see his son and Zenas presenting 
 a picture of comfort.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 115 
 
 "It's fortunate for all three of us that I remem- 
 bered to bring over the stove," he said, divesting him- 
 self of a goodly portion of his wet garments and hang- 
 ing them where they would be most likely to dry in a 
 short time, "else we should have had to make our head- 
 quarters in the farm-house, which just at present I am 
 free to confess would not be pleasant." 
 
 "Oilskins are needed about as bad as a stove," 
 Zenas said with a laugh. "The idea of my startin' off 
 for a summer's work, an' not takin' into consideration 
 the fact that I'd likely be out of doors a good many 
 days when it rained." 
 
 "A soaking won't hurt us to-day, since we've a place 
 like this in which to dry off. Now I'm going to give 
 you a chance to see how heavy this gale really is," Mr. 
 Simpson said in a tone which caused his hearers to be- 
 lieve there was something of importance on his mind. 
 
 "What's the matter, father? Have you found any- 
 thing else that appears to be wrong?" 
 
 "There's a small schooner of not more than twenty- 
 five or thirty tons hove-to off the southerly end of this 
 island, and I can't understand why she's apparently 
 riding out the storm there instead of coming into the 
 cove. I want Zenas to look at her. Don't think that 
 I am distressing myself too much about what John Ed 
 Bingham may be able to do ; but when I saw that craft 
 where there was no good reason, from a seaman's 
 point of view, for her remaining, the thought came 
 into my mind that possibly Bingham might be on 
 board, and was intending to run into the cove to- 
 night."
 
 n6 THE WIRfeLESS STATION 
 
 "That's pretty far fetched for a guess," Zenas re- 
 plied thoughtfully. "I'm willin' to agree that John 
 Ed will bear watchin' even when he's asleep; but it 
 don't strike me that he's goin' to make any great 
 amount of money tryin' to catch them 'ere foxes, 
 'cause they won't be caught." 
 
 "It is possible to shoot them," Mr. Simpson sug- 
 gested. 
 
 "Yes, but in order to do that you're bound to get a 
 sight of the creeters first, an' though they haven't been 
 on this 'ere island very long, I'll venture to say they've 
 found, or made, holes for themselves long before this. 
 You don't catch a fox facing a northeast gale when 
 he's got his two forepaws to dig with." 
 
 "It's more likely that it was John Ed Bingham who 
 came ashore Monday night," Paul interrupted. "He 
 threatened to do mischief, and was headed for this 
 island when I refused him a tow, therefore I am be- 
 lieving it was his footprints we saw in the sand." 
 
 "If that is the case," Mr. Simpson said half to him- 
 self, "and I'm inclined to believe you are correct, my 
 son, then we have good reason for believing that Mr. 
 Downs and Bingham have more dealings with each 
 other than is agreeable to me. However, regarding 
 that we shall probably know more later. It is our busi- 
 ness to keep an eye on the fishing schooner, and the 
 sooner you take a look at her, Zenas, the quicker you 
 will be able to dry your clothing." 
 
 Gushing went out into the storm as cheerfully as if 
 bent on pleasure, and Paul asked curiously what his 
 father intended to do regarding the Downs family.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 117 
 
 'That's a question I can't answer just at present. I 
 am convinced that they have neglected the work, and 
 yet to turn them away, as I have the right, since they 
 do not own the buildings here, would be to make three 
 enemies, who, knowing the island so well, would be 
 able to do more harm to the foxes than any others. 
 Zenas is to remain with you ; that much I have settled 
 on, and what more is to be done in the way of making 
 a change we will decide later." 
 
 "Are you troubled because that fishing schooner is 
 laying to off the island?" Paul asked after a long 
 pause, and his father replied promptly : 
 
 "I am indeed, although there may be good reasons 
 for her remaining at sea instead of coming into the 
 cove. Yet," he added, as if simply giving words to 
 his thoughts, "it doesn't seem probable that any one 
 who had it in mind to poach on this island would begin 
 operations so soon. I question if half a dozen men 
 beating through the thicket could come upon one of 
 the animals while they are so wild." 
 
 Then Mr. Simpson fell silent, as if in deep thought, 
 and no word was spoken for half an hour or more, 
 when he suddenly said : 
 
 "As soon as this storm clears away you are to take 
 the power dory and run over to Seaview to get spare 
 fittings for the Hampton boat, as well as oilskins, and 
 anything else which you may think of that will be 
 needed. I wish I could make out what motive 
 prompted the disabling of tjie big craft." 
 
 "It seemed to me, after having seen the footprints 
 on the sand, that John Ed Bingham had done it, in-
 
 n8 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 tending to come ashore as he afterward did, in order 
 to prevent our chasing him." 
 
 "We will hope that is the answer to the question," 
 Mr. Simpson said thoughtfully, "but " 
 
 "Is it in your mind that Mr. Downs or his sons had 
 anything to do with the mischief?" Paul asked when 
 his father, failing to finish the sentence, remained 
 silent. 
 
 "I cannot say, my son. It was done for some pur- 
 pose rather than a simple desire to destroy property, 
 and we are bound to solve the mystery if it so be it is 
 possible." 
 
 The entrance of Zenas put an end to further con- 
 versation for the time being, and his report was not 
 calculated to reassure the man who had invested such 
 a large amount of money in silver foxes. 
 
 "The craft may be a fisherman; but she don't look 
 like it to my eye," Zenas said as he took off his wet 
 coat, filled the stove with wood, and stood where he 
 could receive the full benefit of the heat "First an' 
 foremost she's only got one boat, an' that a ten-foot 
 dory. As nigh as I could make out, her decks are 
 clean, though of course if she's been fishin' everything 
 would be below when this 'ere storm broke; but why 
 should a sailor heave-to under the lee of this island, 
 when he can run into the cove an' anchor?" 
 
 "Perhaps he doesn't know there is a harbor here," 
 Paul suggested, and Zenas replied sharply : 
 
 "I'll be bound he's no stranger, hangin' 'round so 
 far out to sea. This 'ere storm has been brewin' four 
 an' twenty hours, an' he'd have been a blind man who
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 119 
 
 couldn't see that it was time to make for port yester- 
 day afternoon. I'm willing to bet a big apple that 
 within an hour after sundown he'll be crawlin' up to 
 the cove." 
 
 "There's nothing to prevent his doing so now, ex- 
 cept that he doesn't want us to recognize whoever may 
 be on board," Mr. Simpson suggested. 
 
 It was a waste of time to speculate as to why the 
 schooner remained outside when she could have made 
 a harbor, and even though they had been disposed to 
 continue the profitless conversation, there was no 
 further opportunity to do so privately, because at that 
 moment Farmer Downs and Sam entered. 
 
 The shanty had not been built to accommodate so 
 many visitors, and once they were inside it really 
 seemed to Paul as if it was not possible for any of them 
 to turn around save by brute force. 
 
 "I allow you've seen that 'ere schooner what's 
 hove-to down here to the suthard?" Mr. Downs be- 
 gan by way of opening the conversation, and Mr. 
 Simpson nodded in the affirmative. "I allow her 
 skipper is afraid to go inter the cove." 
 
 "Why?" Paul's father asked sharply. 
 
 "Cause I've let it be known that you'd set your foot 
 agin anybody landin' on this 'ere island." 
 
 "That wouldn't prevent a vessel from making har- 
 bor here in a gale." . 
 
 "Right you are; but some of these 'ere fishermen 
 are kind'er touchy, an' when you let it be known that 
 we wouldn't allow visitors, they've got their backs up, 
 I s'pose."
 
 120 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "Then that schooner is a fisherman, eh?" Zenas 
 asked, and Mr. Downs replied with another question : 
 
 "What else could she be?" 
 
 "Well, I s'pose she might be a coaster, or almost 
 anything them as owned her pleased." 
 
 "She's a fisherman all right," Sam interrupted 
 with an air of wisdom, and turning to Paul, he asked 
 in a low tone, "Have you been workin' the contraption 
 this forenoon?" 
 
 "There is no need of it now that father's here, and 
 however much I might want to send a message, it 
 would be impossible until Ned was in the station." 
 
 "It kind'er begins to look as though the thing 
 worked, don't it, else your father jest happened to 
 come across here?" 
 
 "Put it whichever way you please," Paul replied 
 impatiently. "I don't care whether you believe it 
 works or not, so long as I'm satisfied." 
 
 Then Sam became greatly interested in the appara- 
 tus; asked many questions concerning the part which 
 this or that wire performed, Paul answering briefly 
 but to the best of his ability, and meanwhile Farmer 
 Downs, apparently ceasing to have any further interest 
 in the schooner, was giving Mr. Simpson the benefit 
 of his views regarding the best method of domesticat- 
 ing foxes. 
 
 It was evident to Paul, who strove at the same time 
 to gather what was being said by his elders and reply 
 to Sam's sometimes foolish questions, that the farmer 
 was bent on making himself agreeable to his employer 
 in order, as the lad believed, to efface any unpleasant
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 121 
 
 memories of the neglect of duty during the night 
 previous. 
 
 Nothing of particular importance or interest was 
 said, although the visitors remained until the horn 
 sounded for dinner, and then all repaired to the farm- 
 house. 
 
 After the meal was at an end Ernest went to the 
 shanty with Mr. Simpson, Zenas and Paul, and at no 
 time during the afternoon were the three alone. 
 
 Twice Zenas went out to see if the schooner re- 
 mained in the same relative position, and returned with 
 the information that she was still hove-to but drifting 
 so rapidly to the southward as to be lost to view at 
 times amid the driving rain. 
 
 Not until the evening meal had been eaten was any- 
 thing said concerning the work of the night, and then 
 Sam asked Mr. Simpson timidly if it was expected that 
 he and Ernest were to patrol the island while the storm 
 was raging so furiously. 
 
 "Because of failing to find you when I landed, my 
 belief is that you have not been living up to the agree- 
 ment, so far as keeping watch is concerned, therefore 
 until I return to Seaview you may do as you choose 
 during the hours of darkness." 
 
 "Surely you are not countin' on standin' watch 
 while sich a gale as this is ragin' ?" Mrs. Downs asked, 
 and Mr. Simpson avoided a direct reply by saying : 
 
 "It hardly seems necessary." 
 
 "An' you'll sleep here, of course, all hands of you," 
 the good woman continued. "You can have our spare 
 room, the same as when you were here before."
 
 122 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "One or more of us will probably use it, Mrs. 
 Downs; but it is possible that we shall not go to bed 
 until late, therefore you may kindly leave the door un- 
 locked." 
 
 "Wa'al, I reckon we shall," Mr. Downs replied with 
 a hearty laugh, "seein's how we ain't in the habit of 
 lockin' up here nights, where there's nobody to break 
 in, an' nothin' to steal if so be robbers were prowlin' 
 'round. Come in whenever you get ready, Mr. Simp- 
 son, an' mother'll leave a lamp burning for you." 
 
 Because of the rain, which was now descending 
 more furiously than during the earlier part of the day, 
 Paul's father borrowed from the Downs family suits 
 of oilskins for himself, his son and Zenas, and thus 
 protected against the weather the three started toward 
 the shanty; but after having walked fifty yards or 
 more Mr. Simpson halted as he said : 
 
 "Now, then, Zenas, go down to the southerly end of 
 the island and see if you can make out whether the 
 schooner remains there. She will, of course, have a 
 riding light out. Then come back to the cove, where 
 you will find me near the Downs dory. I'll turn her 
 over to make a shelter. You are to go to the station, 
 Paul, and try to get into communication with Ned. If 
 you succeed, ask him to ascertain, if possible, whether 
 any strange schooner has put out from Seaview this 
 morning." 
 
 Paul did as he was commanded, but without antici- 
 pating any result; therefore was he most agreeably 
 surprised on arriving to receive a reply immediately 
 after sending out his call.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 123 
 
 "I have been here at the station waiting for you 
 since five o'clock," Ned telegraphed. "Is anything 
 going wrong?" 
 
 "Father and Zenas got ashore last night with- 
 out being seen, and the Downses are in a fine state 
 of anxiety, most likely fearing they will be dis- 
 charged," Paul wrote hurriedly. "Father wants to 
 know if any schooner left Seaview this morn- 
 ing?" 
 
 "What has he got on his mind?" Ned asked. 
 
 "There is a small craft hove-to off the southerly end 
 of the island, and we can't understand why she's 
 there." 
 
 "I'll try and find out. When will you be in the sta- 
 tion again?" 
 
 "All the evening. Call any time." 
 
 "O. K." came the reply, and then the clicking of 
 the instrument ceased, Paul understanding that his 
 friend had gone out to make an effort at getting the 
 desired information. 
 
 During more than an hour Paul remained alone in 
 the shanty, hearing only the whistling of the wind 
 amid the apparatus, and the downpour of rain upon 
 the roof of the rude structure, and then came the sig- 
 nal for which he had been listening : 
 
 "Have you learned anything?" he ticked off as soon 
 as Ned ceased calling and was ready to receive. 
 
 "Captain Tobi Thompson says that last evening, 
 after your father left, a small fore-and-aft schooner put 
 in; two strangers came ashore to Mansfield's store, 
 asked about the fox farm and your father. Schooner
 
 124 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 was here at ten o'clock last night, but must have sailed 
 before daylight this morning. Anything more?" 
 
 "That's all father wanted to know just now. Am 
 coming over after spare fittings for the Hampton boat 
 when storm clears away." 
 
 "I shall be in the station to-morrow seven A.M." 
 Ned answered, and Paul gave the signal of good- 
 night, after which he switched off his instrument, shut 
 down the engine, and made snug until the time came 
 when he might call up his friend again. 
 
 Then he waited, expecting each moment his father 
 would return, until to his surprise, on looking at his 
 watch, he found that it was nearly ten o'clock. 
 
 Zenas and Mr. Simpson had been out in the raging 
 storm nearly four hours, and it seemed to the lad cer- 
 tain that something of importance must have occurred, 
 else they would have taken refuge in the shanty long 
 before this, for it was not a night one would cheerfully 
 select for a stroll on Barren island. 
 
 His first impulse was to go in search of them, and 
 this desire came upon him so strongly that despite the 
 fact he had been ordered to remain at the station, he 
 set off at a rapid pace in the direction of the cove, 
 stumbling now and then over the loose rocks in the 
 path, and again nearly falling headlong when the furi- 
 ous blasts forced him a few paces out of the beaten 
 track. 
 
 It was a short but laborious journey, and he was 
 thoroughly weary when, after battling against the ele- 
 ments twenty minutes or more, he came upon the over- 
 turned dory and called his father by name.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 125 
 
 "What has brought you out here?" Mr. Simpson 
 asked in a low tone. "I thought you were to stay at 
 the station." 
 
 "Ned has just sent a reply to your inquiry," Paul 
 replied as he crawled beneath the dory to shelter him- 
 self from the wind and rain, and then he repeated what 
 had come to him by wireless. 
 
 "The schooner which has been hove-to is now 
 standing up evidently counting to come into the cove, 
 and we intend to find out why she's here," Mr. Simp- 
 son said in explanation. "You had better go 
 to the farm-house and get what sleep you can, or else 
 lie down in the station, where you'll be dry and com- 
 fortable." 
 
 "I had rather stay here, sir, if you don't object." 
 
 "Very well ; do as you please. It won't be very com- 
 fortable, and I am not expecting that anything of an 
 exciting nature will happen." 
 
 "If it don't I'll miss my guess," Zenas said grimly. 
 "A craft doesn't lay hove-to in mid-ocean, so to speak, 
 all day, an' then crawl up to land after dark, unless 
 there's mischief of some kind brewin'." 
 
 Paul was of the same opinion, and therefore re- 
 solved to remain where he was for a certain time at 
 least. 
 
 By dint of questioning Zenas he learned that the lat- 
 ter had, while patrolling the shore at the southern end 
 of the island, seen a light on board a craft of some 
 kind, which he believed to be the same vessel they had 
 watched during the day, and after a certain length of 
 time became convinced beyond the possibility of a mis-
 
 126 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 take that she was endeavoring to gain harbor in the 
 cove. 
 
 "Of course I can't swear that the schooner what's 
 off here now is the same we've seen since noon; but 
 accordin' to my figurin' it's odds that she is, and I'm 
 lookin' to see quite a lively time before mornin'." 
 
 "Do you believe John Ed Bingham is on board of 
 her?" Paul asked in a whisper, and Zenas replied 
 promptly : 
 
 "I ain't botherin' my head about that old smuggler 
 a little bit. He may be with the gang, an' then agin it's 
 possible he's a hundred miles off by this time. He's 
 just like a flea ; you think you can put your finger right 
 on him, an' he ain't there. Whoever is aboard the 
 craft, 'cordin' to my way of thinkin', is comin' here 
 either to cook up a plan with old Downs, or else to see 
 if there's any show of gettin' a fox pelt that's worth a 
 couple of hundred dollars." 
 
 "But they can't expect to do any hunting in the 
 night; that would be ridiculous." 
 
 "I don't know what they're expectin' ; but I've set it 
 down as a fact that our business is to keep a sharp eye 
 on 'em. If so be they're only disabled sailormen puttin' 
 in here for harbor, why there won't be any harm done 
 if we hang 'round a spell longer." 
 
 While Zenas and Paul had been conversing Mr. 
 Simpson crept out from beneath the shelter, and five 
 minutes later he returned, saying in a whisper as he 
 forced his way under the dory : 
 
 "The vessel is just coming into the cove. Cease 
 talking, and if any one should come ashore, we'll fol-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 127 
 
 low them without exposing ourselves to view, if pos- 
 sible. There is even a chance these may be honest fish- 
 ermen, who have not heard that visitors are forbidden 
 the island." 
 
 "If they let go their ground tackle with a rush, I'll 
 allow there's a chance they may be honest; but we'll 
 see how they come to anchor," Zenas replied, crawling 
 out from under the dory until he could have as fair a 
 view of the cove as darkness would permit, and Paul, 
 eager to see all that might be happening, followed his 
 example. 
 
 Five minutes later it was possible, even in the dark- 
 ness of the night, to distinguish the outlines of a ves- 
 sel's spars as she stood in until nearly abreast where the 
 watchers were hiding, and then noiselessly as a shadow 
 came to a standstill. 
 
 "They have taken mighty good care that nobody 
 should hear 'em let go the anchor," Zenas whispered, 
 and Paul's heart beat wildly with excitement, for he 
 fancied that now was come the time when poachers 
 were making ready to work mischief on Silver Fox 
 Farm. 
 
 During what seemed to Paul to be a very long time 
 no sound was heard, and Zenas called attention to the 
 fact that the craft had anchored with all canvas, save 
 the jib, standing. 
 
 "Looks honest, don't it, eh?" he whispered. 
 
 Then the creaking of oars could be heard now and 
 then even amid the noises of the tempest, and Mr. 
 Simpson gave the word that they were to creep out 
 from their place of shelter, crouching low upon the
 
 128 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 sand as they did so lest their bodies should be seen 
 against the sky. 
 
 This move had been made none too soon, for when 
 he was ten paces from the dory, creeping toward the 
 head of the cove, it was possible for Paul to see a small 
 boat pulled up on the beach by three men, who, after 
 their task was done, at once hurried away in the direc- 
 tion of the farm-house. 
 
 "We'll follow them," Mr. Simpson said, and there 
 was little need for him to speak in a whisper because 
 the shrieking of the tempest would have drowned any 
 ordinary noise. 
 
 "Don't you think it would be a good idee for me to 
 stay here? You and Paul can do the followin' an' it 
 don't seem to me well that we lose all sight of what 
 may be goin' on around this 'ere cove," Zenas sug- 
 gested. 
 
 "Very well, stay here. Come with me, Paul," and 
 Mr. Simpson hurried away in the direction taken by 
 the visitors, being careful, however, not to get so near 
 their heels that there could be any danger of being 
 seen. 
 
 The strangers were fully two hundred feet in ad- 
 vance of Mr. Simpson and Paul when they arrived at 
 the farm-house, and that they were well acquainted 
 with the place could be told from the fact that instead 
 of making any effort to arouse the family, who, be- 
 cause of the absence of lights, were apparently asleep, 
 they entered the house boldly by the kitchen door. 
 
 The building stood, as has been said, in the open, 
 and there was no place where the watchers might
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 129 
 
 screen themselves from view, save just inside the shed 
 where was stowed firewood. This they did, and when 
 thus partially hidden Paul whispered : 
 
 "We can't hear anything that may be said in the 
 house unless we creep up to the window." 
 
 "That we will do after they have lighted the lamp," 
 his father replied, and the two stood there minute after 
 minute, waiting for some token that the Downs family 
 were astir, but seeing nothing. 
 
 No lights shone from the window; no noise could 
 be heard from inside the dwelling, and Paul was be- 
 ginning to ask himself whether they were not mistaken 
 in the belief that three men had entered the house, 
 when the door was opened swiftly and a single figure 
 came out. 
 
 As a matter of course it was not possible to distin- 
 guish the features of this person who had come so 
 stealthily from Mr. Downs's dwelling; but it could be 
 seen that he disappeared in the direction of the cove, 
 and when Paul started forward as if to follow him, his 
 father said, laying a restraining hand upon his shoul- 
 der: 
 
 "We'll wait for the other two, lad. If that fellow 
 has gone down to the boat Zenas can give us an account 
 of all he does."
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 A QUESTION OF VERACITY 
 
 As a matter of course Paul could not well carry on 
 any extended conversation with his father while they 
 were in hiding so near the house; but he was burning 
 with the desire to hear what guess might be made as to 
 the reason why only one of the visitors had gone away, 
 and also why the Downs family failed to display any 
 signs of being awake. 
 
 The house remained as when they first approached, 
 with not a thread of light to be seen, or the slightest 
 noise betokening that the inmates were awake ; yet cer- 
 tain it was, unless both Paul and his father had been 
 deceived by their eyes, that three men had entered fully 
 half an hour before the first took his departure. 
 
 Paul fancied the storm was subsiding. It seemed 
 to him that the wind no longer came in furious gusts, 
 and that the rain was falling in less volume, yet, even 
 if such was the case, the gale was still sufficiently vi- 
 olent to cause him no little discomfort. But for the 
 protection afforded by the oilskins borrowed from the 
 Downs family, he would have suffered severely, for the 
 shed afforded only a partial shelter from the wind, and 
 the water ran in tiny streams through each of the many 
 crevices in the roof. 
 
 The moments passed, as it appeared to Paul, exceed- 
 ingly slow, and yet his father gave no token of impa- 
 tience even when the lad was positive nearly an hour 
 
 130
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 131 
 
 had elapsed since the single visitor took his departure. 
 Standing like a statue just within the shadow of the 
 opening to the shed, Mr. Simpson remained with his 
 eyes fixed upon the seemingly abandoned house, until 
 Paul ventured to ask : 
 
 "How much longer do you count on staying here, 
 sir?" 
 
 "Until we can learn something concerning the two 
 visitors who are yet inside. If you are tired, go back 
 to Zenas; you will most likely find him under the 
 dory." 
 
 "But you might need me here, sir." 
 
 "That is hardly probable. I fancy the men will go 
 aboard the schooner directly they bring the visit to a 
 close, and I shall do no more than follow. There isn't 
 any probability they will attempt to molest the foxes 
 in the darkness, for the very good reason that the ani- 
 mals could not be found." 
 
 "Shall we wait on the shore for you?" 
 
 "Yes, Zenas must do so; but you may go to bed 
 whenever you feel so disposed." 
 
 "I don't count on losing sight of whatever may be 
 going on here to-night," Paul replied grimly, and his 
 father added with something very like mirth in his 
 tones : 
 
 "If this blackness holds you're not likely to see very 
 much, no matter how lively matters move. Remember 
 to listen carefully while walking to and fro, lest you 
 run afoul of these visitors." 
 
 Paul would not have left his father if there had been 
 any show of life in the Downs home; but while the
 
 I 3 2- THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 house remained as if deserted it seemed to him useless 
 to waste time watching it. 
 
 Moving cautiously in accordance with his father's 
 instructions, he went slowly toward the shore of the 
 cove, being obliged almost literally to "feel" his way, 
 and after stumbling about, sometimes on the path, and 
 again floundering among the rocks and sand, he came 
 upon the overturned dory. 
 
 "Zenas," he whispered, as he bent over to peer be- 
 neath the boat, and Cushing's head immediately ap- 
 peared between the gunwale and the sand. 
 
 "Where's your father?" 
 
 "Up at the house waiting for the two men to come 
 out." 
 
 "I'm thinkin' he'll stay there quite a spell. One of 
 'em came down here a while ago, put off to the 
 schooner, an' she has left the harbor." 
 
 "The schooner gone!" Paul cried in astonishment. 
 
 "That's what. She went out half an hour ago, an' 
 I've been wonderin' why your father didn't come to tell 
 me I might turn in, for it's a dead fact that the other 
 two men don't count on leaving here this night. What 
 have you seen ?" 
 
 "Nothing after the three men went into the house, 
 nor did we hear the slightest sound until one of them 
 came out and disappeared as if on his way to this cove. 
 There hasn't been a light in the building." 
 
 "Did the men have much trouble gettin' in?" 
 
 "They went in the kitchen door, as if it was their 
 own home. So far as we could say, not a member of 
 the Downs family awakened."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 133 
 
 "Is that so?'' Zenas said half to himself. "Old 
 friends, eh, an' took the trouble to lay hove-to in a 
 livin' gale all day for the sake of comin' here after 
 dark when they wouldn't disturb anybody ! Looks as 
 if the whole thing had been cooked an' dried, eh? It 
 wouldn't surprise me a little bit if the fellow whom you 
 say landed here Monday night came in order to make 
 arrangements for this same visit. What's your father 
 goin' to do now ?" 
 
 "He is watching for the two men to come out." 
 
 "I reckon we may as well go up an' tell him it's time 
 to knock off work. Them men won't show themselves 
 now the schooner's gone That is, not for quite a 
 spell, an' it's up to us to say how soon that shall be. 
 Come on; we'll talk it over when we're snug in the 
 shanty." 
 
 Paul was so perplexed and bewildered at learning 
 the schooner had left port, that he could make no pro- 
 test even though it seemed to him that his father's or- 
 ders should be obeyed even to the extent of remaining 
 under the overturned dory all night. He meekly fol- 
 lowed Zenas, when that young man came boldly out 
 from the place of shelter and walked toward the house 
 as if he was the only person on Barren island. 
 
 "Be careful you don't come upon the men, and thus 
 let them know that we've been on watch," he cautioned, 
 and Zenas laughed aloud as he said : 
 
 "I'll eat my head an' yours, too, if the visitors an* 
 the Downs family ain't snorin' their level best this very 
 minute. They're takin' it easy, an' we're gettin' all 
 the tough part of the work."
 
 134 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "But why does Mr. Downs allow them to stay, when 
 he knows that father refuses to let any one even come 
 ashore for a few minutes?" Paul asked in bewilder- 
 ment. 
 
 "I reckon that's somethin' your father is bound to 
 find out before we're many hours older, 'less he's 
 willin' to see the fox business go to everlastin' smash. 
 Now we'll creep up on the shed kind'er soft, for there's 
 jest a chance, in spite of my belief, that old Daniel has 
 got a longer head than I've given him the credit of 
 havin'." 
 
 Without making more noise than was drowned by 
 the whistling of the wind and the roaring of the surf, 
 the two approached the shed until Mr. Simpson 
 stepped out into view, leading them at a distance 
 from the building that he might ask in an angry tone, 
 without danger of being overheard by those in the 
 house : 
 
 "Why have you left your post, Zenas?" 
 
 " 'Cause there's nothin' to watch. The schooner 
 put to sea nigh an hour ago, after one of the men went 
 on board, an' I'm allowin' that you'll be coolin' your 
 heels for nothin' if you stay here keepin' an eye on the 
 old shack. Daniel Downs is a little ahead of us in this 
 'ere deal, though the odds are agin his pullin' out 
 'cordin' to schedule." 
 
 Mr. Simpson remained silent and motionless a full 
 minute, and then, telling Zenas and Paul to follow him, 
 he led the way to the shanty. 
 
 After having been exposed to the storm so long, the 
 little hut presented a most homely appearance when
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 135 
 
 a fire had been built in the stove and the lantern 
 lighted ; but Mr. Simpson was not in the humor to en- 
 joy it. 
 
 "You two are to stay here. If I fail to put in an ap- 
 pearance when you go to breakfast to-morrow morn- 
 ing, and any one asks for me, say that I declared my 
 intention of remaining in bed a long while. Do not 
 linger around the farm-house; but having had breakfast 
 come directly back here, and get in communication 
 with Ned Bartlett to learn if he has heard anything 
 regarding the strange schooner." 
 
 "Where are you going, father?" Paul asked, puzzled 
 to understand why such detailed instructions should 
 be given. 
 
 "I intend to sleep in the farm-house ; but it isn't prob- 
 able that I shall get up early enough to breakfast with 
 the family. You may bring over here something in 
 the way of food, in case I should be hungry before 
 dinner-time." 
 
 Then, without waiting for further questions, Mr. 
 Simpson went out into the storm and the darkness once 
 more, and Paul turned to Zenas with an expression of 
 bewilderment on his face. 
 
 "What benefit will it be to sleep in the farm-house? 
 I suppose, though, that it'll be more comfortable to 
 have a whole bed to himself than pack into my bunk 
 with you and me." 
 
 "I'm allowin' he ain't thinkin' very much of his own 
 comfort jest at this time," Zenas replied with a purring 
 laugh as he took off his wet garments to hang them in 
 front of the fire, and with a blanket around his shoul-
 
 136 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 ders in the stead of a dressing gown, proceeded to fill 
 and light his pipe. 
 
 "But what good will it do for him to sleep there?" 
 Paul asked in perplexity. 
 
 "That is as may be. 'Cordin' to the way I look at it, 
 he figgers that the house is so small they'll have 
 trouble in hidin' two men any great while, an' by pre- 
 tendin' to be sleepin' in bed he may hear somethin' 
 that'll be to his advantage. Of course there's the 
 chance that nothin' will come of it ; but I can't see how 
 he could -do anythin' different, seein's he's bound to 
 look after them 'ere foxes." 
 
 "I wish he had never gone into the business, or, if 
 he couldn't keep out of it, that he'd hired people who 
 were more honest than the Downs family appear to 
 be," Paul said with a sigh, and Zenas added, as if the 
 idea afforded him considerable amusement : 
 
 "More honest than they appear to be! Why, lad, 
 from what little I've seen I can take my solemn 'davy 
 that the old man an' his sons are so crooked they 
 couldn't sleep comfortably in a straight bed. I'm al- 
 lowin' that at first they counted to play fair ; but some- 
 body of the same kidney as John Ed Bingham, if it 
 wasn't the old scoundrel himself, has got after 'em 
 with a scheme to make money quick. It strikes me that 
 two or three hundred dollars would buy Daniel mighty 
 easy. He's sich a thick head that he wouldn't stop to 
 figger how much might come to him an' his family in 
 the way of wages before a crop of pelts could be har- 
 vested; but would only think of the big pile to be 
 hauled in if he turned traitor. But jest you wait, lad.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 137 
 
 It'll be a long day before either he or his cronies can 
 get hold of them 'ere creeters, an' twixt now and then 
 we ought'er be able to lay him by the heels." 
 
 It really seemed to Paul as if Zenas was thoroughly 
 well pleased because danger threatened the fox farm- 
 ing. He smoked vigorously, pausing now and then 
 to laugh in a purring sort of way, or to strike his 
 knee a resounding blow as if he had suddenly hit 
 upon some means of outwitting Mr. Downs and his 
 visitors. 
 
 "Any one might think you were well pleased because 
 there is a chance that father may lose his investment 
 here," Paul said after he had undressed and crawled 
 between the blankets, preparatory to sleeping. 
 
 "It ain't exactly that way, lad. I'm kind'er tickled 
 'cause it looks as if we might have considerable excite- 
 ment. When I hired out to your father the only 
 trouble in my mind was that it would be mortally dull, 
 knockin' 'round this forsaken place day after day an' 
 night after night; but if old Daniel keeps on tryin' to 
 play funny games, I'm allowin' we'll pass the time in 
 fair shape. Why don't you go to sleep?" 
 
 "Ain't you coming to bed ?" 
 
 "Not for quite a spell; I've got to chew this 'ere 
 thing over a while, so's to get my bearin's; but once 
 that has been done, I'm the biggest chump that ever 
 stepped foot in Seaview if Daniel Downs an' his pre- 
 cious boys can get the best of me." 
 
 Despite the excitement under which he was natu- 
 rally laboring, Paul's eyes closed in slumber some time 
 before Zenas had finished "chewing the matter over,"
 
 138 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 and it was not until the sun had risen next morning 
 that he again became conscious of his surroundings. 
 
 Then Zenas shook him into wakefulness with the 
 announcement : 
 
 ''It is past six, lad, an' the horn has sounded twice 
 to let us know breakfast's ready. I kind'er hated to 
 rouse you, seein's how you was reelin' it off so hearty- 
 like; but we've got to show up, whether we're hungry 
 or not, to prevent 'em from routin' your father out." 
 
 Paul arose from the bunk, stretched himself sleepily, 
 and Zenas opened the door as a means of banishing 
 any further desire for slumber from his eyes. 
 
 The sun was shining brightly, the breeze hardly 
 strong enough to raise a feather, and the dancing sea 
 sparkled and shone in the golden light as if it had 
 never raised its myriad heads against the rocky coast 
 of Barren island. 
 
 "My, but it's a fine day!" Paul cried as, removing 
 his clothing, he ran to the head of Swallow-Tailed 
 cove for a sea bath. 
 
 Ten minutes later he had finished his salt-water 
 toilet, and was asking Zenas if anything unusual had 
 occurred after he fell asleep. 
 
 "I don't allow that a thing went wrong from the 
 time that 'ere schooner left the cove. 'Long 'bout mid- 
 night I took a turn 'round, goin' as far as the farm- 
 house; but everythin' was quiet. The storm petered 
 out 'bout then, an' before I'd fell asleep the stars were 
 shinin'. I'd like to know if your father got on the 
 track of any funny business." 
 
 "We shall soon know, for he will surely show him-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 139 
 
 self before dinner-time. Let's hurry down to the 
 house for breakfast. I must be back here when Ned 
 calls me at seven." 
 
 Mr. Downs and his sons had broken their fast when 
 Paul and Zenas arrived at the house, as was learned 
 from Mrs. Downs, who added, as she answered their 
 questions concerning the remainder of her family: 
 
 "I've been wonderin' if I hadn't better wake your 
 father. Sam looked inter the spare room, an' said he 
 'peared to be asleep ; but it seems a pity for him to lose 
 his breakfast." 
 
 "He was very tired when he left the shanty, and 
 said he didn't intend to get up until nearly noon, there- 
 fore you had better leave him alone," Paul replied, and 
 it was on the tip of his tongue to ask if Mrs. Downs 
 had heard any disturbance during the night ; but, fortu- 
 nately, he checked himself before the words were ut- 
 tered. 
 
 "Father an' the boys have gone out to catch fish for 
 the foxes," the good woman said after a long pause, 
 during which she had heaped the plates of her guests 
 so high with food that there appeared to be an ample 
 supply for at least three meals. "In case your father 
 should want 'em after he gets up, I reckon they can be 
 found in the cove; that's a master place for cunners 
 at flood tide." 
 
 To this neither Paul nor Zenas made any reply, and 
 Mrs. Downs asked a moment later, while an expression 
 of anxiety came over her face: 
 
 "Do you know whether your father counts on goin' 
 back to Seaview to-day?"
 
 140 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "He hasn't told us; but I believe he will wait here 
 until I have been over to get the fittings that are 
 needed to put the Hampton boat into commission 
 again," Paul replied as he rose from the table, his 
 hunger satisfied, and this time there could be no ques- 
 tion but that the good woman looked disturbed in 
 mind. 
 
 "It don't suit her to have your father hangin' 'round 
 here," Zenas said when he and Paul were returning to 
 the station. "It ain't the easiest thing in the world to 
 keep two men hidden in that small house, an' it stands 
 to reason old Daniel wouldn't dare let them out while 
 the boss is here." 
 
 "It's hard to persuade myself I didn't dream all that 
 took place last night," Paul said thoughtfully. "It 
 doesn't seem possible Mr. Downs would dare to play 
 such a trick, knowing what the consequences would be 
 if he was discovered." 
 
 "I reckon he didn't stop to think of that part of the 
 business when he agreed to whatever plan is on foot," 
 and Zenas added with a laugh, "It don't take me very 
 long to make up my mind that what went on here 
 last night was no dream, for I'm feelin' as if 
 I'd been soaked. It must be nigh to seven o'clock, 
 eh?" 
 
 "It lacks fifteen minutes," Paul said, after looking 
 at his watch. "We may as well get ready for business, 
 although I don't fancy Ned has been able to get much 
 information for us." 
 
 When the apparatus was in working order once 
 more Paul sent out the call for Ned, and within a few
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 141 
 
 moments of the hour named the following words were 
 clicked off in the shanty, Zenas standing in open- 
 mouthed astonishment, for this was the first exhibition 
 of wireless telegraphy he had ever seen : 
 
 "Captain Tobi Thompson says the schooner is now 
 in the harbor. She carried away her topmast in the 
 gale ; must stay here two days for repairs." 
 
 "I am coming over very soon," Paul replied, Zenas 
 watching his every movement closely as he worked 
 the key. 
 
 "Don't fail to see me," came the message from Ned. 
 
 "O. K. If you can't get me at noon you will know 
 I have started." 
 
 Then came the good-by from the Seaview station, 
 and as Paul closed the trunk containing his instru- 
 ments, Zenas said with a long-drawn sigh, as if so 
 much of mystery wearied him : 
 
 "It don't seem possible that you've been talkin' with 
 Ned Bartlett at Seaview, an' I can't make head nor 
 tail of the whole thing." 
 
 "That's what Mr. Downs and his sons say. They 
 are not yet absolutely certain that I have been able to 
 send or receive a message, because there are no wires 
 connecting the two instruments." 
 
 "It would puzzle a wiser man than any of them are 
 ever likely to be ; but I'd really like to know somethin' 
 'bout the bloomin' thing, for it's the darkest kind of a 
 twist to me." 
 
 "We haven't anything to ,do until father comes, and 
 if you care to listen I'll read a little from a book I've 
 got, which I brought with me in case something went
 
 142 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 wrong that I couldn't understand, when I'd have the 
 solution at hand." 
 
 "Go ahead; I'll listen as long as you're willin' to 
 read," and Zenas seated himself on the bunk as he pro- 
 ceeded leisurely to fill his pipe. 
 
 "Here is something which may give you an idea of 
 how the clicking of the key can be heard many miles 
 away, even as you hear it here," and Paul read, "A 
 type of wave of which we are constantly receiving 
 impressions through our ears, but which is more diffi- 
 cult to analyze than the ocean wave, is the sound-wave 
 in the atmosphere. Waves of sound are invisible, and 
 hence the difficulty we experience in becoming fa- 
 miliar with their forms, speed and other properties. 
 We learn that sound in air is a disturbance in its 
 density and pressure which moves through the air at a 
 definite speed. If we fire a pistol in the air, the ex- 
 plosion in the barrel displaces the air, or compresses it, 
 in the immediate neighborhood of the discharge. The 
 zone of compression moves off into surrounding air 
 with substantially the same speed in all directions, if 
 the air is calm, and is followed immediately by a zone 
 of expended air ; just as a hollow or depression follows 
 a hump or elevation in an ocean wave." 
 
 "Do you understand the idea of sound-waves from 
 what I have read ?" Paul asked as he paused to look at 
 Zenas, and the latter replied doubtfully: 
 
 "I can't say as I've got the whole idee dead plain in 
 my mind; but drive ahead, an' perhaps I'll pick up a 
 smatterin' of it." 
 
 Then Paul continued to read, selecting paragraphs
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 143 
 
 here and there which he believed would convey a gen- 
 eral idea of the subject: 
 
 "Air is a material fluid. It forms an ocean on the 
 surface of this earth, and we live at or near the bottom 
 of this air-ocean. It is generally believed that all space, 
 including the interior of solid bodies, is permeated by 
 an immaterial fluid called the universal ether. The 
 ether is just as invisible as the air. It does not directly 
 appeal to any sense, but it is much easier to assume 
 its presence everywhere than to deny its existence. If 
 we take a vacuum-tube, that is to say, a sealed glass 
 tube from the interior of which the air has been almost 
 entirely removed, it can be shown experimentally that 
 sound cannot pass across the interior of the tube, but 
 light passes across it, and so does heat and force. We 
 cannot believe that these activities are transmitted 
 through absolutely empty space. Something must 
 transmit them, for they are transmitted at definite 
 speeds. This something is named the ether. Beyond 
 its powers of transmitting energy, hardly anything is 
 yet known about the ether. Its structure and the man- 
 ner in which it permeates space are still unsolved rid- 
 dles." 
 
 "Hold on right there," Zenas cried as he sprang to 
 his feet, "what's the use of readin' any more when the 
 man what wrote the book don't know, an' says he 
 don't, anythin' about it?" 
 
 "He knows that certain causes will produce certain 
 results, and that is enough , for the time being," Paul 
 replied with a laugh. 
 
 "Well, I ain't achin' to find out what nobody knows.
 
 144 
 
 I'd like to hear how you contrive to send messages 
 from here to Seaview when there ain't any wires for 
 them to travel on." 
 
 "In order to understand it you must first know 
 through what medium the sounds are transmitted, and 
 the writer of this book claims that we send the dots 
 and dashes of the Morse alphabet, which is made up 
 of the symbols used by telegraphers on land, through 
 the ether, rather than the air, or through the combina- 
 tion of both. Listen : 'When it is agreed that the ether 
 is a universal fluid or medium in which all matter 
 swims, so to speak, many things may be accounted for 
 which otherwise we could not even attempt to explain. 
 Electricity and magnetism, for example, may be ac- 
 counted for in a general way. Just as wind is a par- 
 ticular energized condition of the air, so both elec- 
 tricity and magnetism are particular energized condi- 
 tions of the universal ether, which underlies the air 
 and everything else. We cannot at present say, for 
 example, that electricity is the same kind of motion 
 of the ether that wind is of the air, because we do not 
 yet comprehend the nature of the ether ' " 
 
 "Here conies your father," Zenas interrupted as he 
 opened the door of the shanty, "an' I reckon it's 'bout 
 time, for I'm gettin' all mixed up with air an' ether. 
 Some day when you have a chance, s'pose you tell me 
 'bout sendin' messages without wires." 
 
 "That's just what I have started to do; but before 
 you can understand anything about it you must have 
 some idea of the force, or power, which is used," Paul 
 replied laughingly.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 145 
 
 "An 5 the man what wrote that book says right out 
 plump an' plain that he don't understand anythin' 'bout 
 it," Zenas growled as if he had personal cause for com- 
 plaint against the writer. 
 
 "He claims to know what is done in the ether, with- 
 out being able to explain it. After you have 
 learned by what medium the wave-sounds are made, 
 then it will be possible to give you an idea of wire- 
 less telegraphy, and we'll talk it over some other 
 time." 
 
 At this point Mr. Simpson entered the shanty, and 
 before Paul could speak he asked anxiously: 
 
 "Have you had any word from Sea view?" 
 
 "Ned says the schooner is in the harbor. She car- 
 ried away her topmast, and will have to lay there a 
 couple of days making repairs." 
 
 "You will be obliged to go across to get fittings be- 
 fore the Hampton boat can be used. Why not start 
 now? The sea is not running very high." 
 
 "I can make the voyage all right in the old dory," 
 Paul said, as he looked out on the dancing water. 
 
 "Very well ; take Zenas with you, and try to get back 
 before morning. I want you to go to Captain Tobi 
 Thompson and ask him to learn who owns the 
 schooner, and who is on board of her. Tell him that 
 it is of the greatest importance for me to know all that 
 may be gathered about her and her crew. Do not say 
 anything of last night's happenings, and warn Ned 
 on the same point. Can you start at once?" 
 
 For reply Paul first made certain his instruments 
 had been left in such condition that they could not
 
 146 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 readily be disturbed or injured, and then stepped out 
 of the shanty, calling to Zenas : 
 
 "Come on. I reckon we shall have a spell of bailing 
 before we can get under way, for the dory must be half 
 full of water." 
 
 Mr. Simpson followed his son, taking him affec- 
 tionately by the arm as he said : 
 
 "Get such things as you may need to put the Hamp- 
 ton boat in commission, oilskins for all of us, and 
 whatever else you think may be needed during the 
 next two weeks. Tell your mother that I shall not 
 hurry home." 
 
 "Did you hear or see anything at the farm-house ?" 
 
 "I didn't get a glimpse of the visitors, but heard 
 sufficient to convince me that they are in a room over 
 the kitchen. Mr. Downs went to that apartment this 
 morning after Sam looked into the spare chamber to 
 see if I was occupying it. The visitors had been 
 warned that I was in the house, therefore took good 
 care not to make a noise." 
 
 "Did you have any talk with Mr. Downs ?" 
 
 "He was out fishing when I came downstairs, or, at 
 least, his wife said so. I intend to spend the greater 
 portion of my time around the farm-house until you 
 get back, when Zenas can take my place." 
 
 "You believe Mr. Downs is ready to do a mischief to 
 the foxes, in spite of the fact that you have agreed to 
 pay him and his sons good wages for a long while?" 
 
 "There is no other way by which matters can be ex- 
 plained ; but it suits my purpose for the time being to 
 let him believe I have every confidence in his inten-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 147 
 
 tions," Mr. Simpson replied, and then they were ar- 
 rived at that portion of the beach where the motor-dory 
 had been hauled high up on the sand. 
 
 The little craft was, as Paul had supposed, well 
 filled with water, for rain had fallen during eighteen 
 hours in great quantity, and this it was necessary to 
 remove before the voyage could be begun. 
 
 Mr. Simpson lent a hand at the work, and within 
 half an hour everything was ready for the departure. 
 
 "Be careful not to speak of what we have seen and 
 believe," Paul's father cautioned him as the dory was 
 pushed off into deep water. "Make all haste possible; 
 but procure everything that may be needed, and im- 
 press on Captain Tobi's mind the necessity for getting 
 all the details concerning the schooner and her crew, 
 even though you are forced to remain in Seaview un- 
 til morning." 
 
 "We shall go right up to the shanty when we get 
 back, and wait there, if you are not to be seen," Zenas 
 announced, and Mr. Simpson replied: 
 
 "If you do not return until after dark, I shall prob- 
 ably be at the farm-house, for it is my intention to retire 
 early, an<l there will be no need to disturb me." 
 
 "We're off," Paul shouted cheerily as he started the 
 motor while Zenas took the helm, and Mr. Simpson, 
 without waiting to see them pass out of the cove, went 
 rapidly up the shore in the direction of Mr. Downs's 
 home. 
 
 "I'm allowin' there won't much go on while we're 
 away that he don't have an eye on," Zenas said with 
 a purring laugh. "The boarders in the room over the
 
 148 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 kitchen will be likely to have quite a warm time of it 
 before they get a chance to move around very lively, 
 for it must be mighty hot up there this weather when 
 there's a blazing fire in the cook-stove." 
 
 The dory made good speed once the full power of 
 the motor was on, and Zenas had hardly more than 
 ceased speaking when she was gliding out of the cove, 
 coming speedily within hail of Mr. Downs and his 
 sons, who were fishing a short distance below the 
 southerly point. 
 
 "Hello, what's up?" Sam yelled in surprise. "Where 
 are you goin' ?" 
 
 "Over to Seaview," Paul answered curtly. 
 
 "Anythin' wrong?" 
 
 "I've got to have some fittings for the Hampton boat 
 if I ever expect to run her again, and I'm going for 
 them." 
 
 "I should kind'er thought your father would have 
 gone with you," Mr. Downs screamed, and Paul fan- 
 cied he could detect a note of anxiety in the old man's 
 voice. "Do you know how long he allows to stay?" 
 
 "He hasn't told me anything about it," Paul 
 shouted, and then the dory was so far away that 
 further conversation was impossible. 
 
 "Yes, I reckon you would like to know how long 
 Mr. Simpson counts on stayin', Daniel Downs. An' 
 a couple of your friends what are roostin' in the attic 
 over your kitchen would give considerable to know 
 the same thing," Zenas cried softly, and he indulged in 
 a long spell of purring laughter as he pictured in his 
 mind the perspiring visitors.
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY 
 
 "How long will it take us to make the run ?" Zenas 
 asked when his mirth had subsided somewhat. 
 
 "The dory can do about nine miles an hour. The 
 motor is heavier than one ordinarily sees in a craft of 
 her size, and shoves her through the water at a good 
 speed." 
 
 "I should say it did, if she can run at that gait," 
 Zenas said half to himself, and after waiting a few 
 moments without hearing anything more from him, 
 Paul said with a quizzical expression: 
 
 "We can count on being alone two hours and a half, 
 and surely we don't want to go all over the island af- 
 fair again, so suppose I try to make you understand 
 something more about wireless telegraphy ?" 
 
 "Somethin' more?" Zenas repeated with a grin. 
 "What you've told me already I could put in my eye 
 without winkin', an' if you don't get ahead any faster 
 than when you read out of that 'ere book, I shan't be 
 overly wise by the time we get inter port." 
 
 "I brought the book with me in order to read more 
 from it, and while trying to give you a little informa- 
 tion, brush up what I already know, or think I know, 
 on the subject. If you remember, we were told in the 
 book that electric waves exist in the ether, but that fact 
 was not discovered until the year 1888, when Professor 
 Hertz demonstrated it by a simplified form of the ap- 
 
 149
 
 150 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 paratus used to-day, save that he used no antenna or 
 ground connections. Now, Zenas, listen intently, and 
 try to remember what you hear," Paul said warningly 
 as he opened his book and read : 
 
 "Professor Hertz was the first to attempt seriously 
 what Professor Clerk Maxwell in 1867 had prophesied 
 would be accomplished sooner or later. Maxwell had 
 deduced his prophecy from abstruse mathematical con- 
 siderations, and had predicted the properties of electric 
 waves, which he said \vould be found to be identical 
 with those of heat and light. Heat, light, and Hert- 
 zian radiations are, in fact, electric waves of different 
 frequencies. Hertz verified all Maxwell's predictions 
 by experiments made with the somewhat unwieldy ap- 
 paratus which the dimensions of his transmitter de- 
 tector necessitated. The detector was simply a large 
 circle of wire, at one point in which there was a gap 
 between two very small spheres. A screw adjustment 
 was used to vary the distance separating the balls, be- 
 tween which the electric-motive forces induced by the 
 waves manifested themselves in the form of minute 
 sparks. 
 
 "In about the year 1890, Professor Edouard Branly 
 investigated the effect of Ley den jar discharges on 
 metallic powders, the resistance of which was found 
 to be greatly decreased after the passage of sparks in 
 the neighborhood. 
 
 "In 1895, Sir Oliver Lodge detected waves from an 
 oscillator over a distance of about forty yards, using 1 
 a filings tube coherer, a galvanometer, and a cell. The 
 coherer consisted of a tube containing metallic filings
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 151 
 
 into which two wires were thrust so that their ends 
 nearly touched. To restore the coherer to its original 
 insulating condition after it had become conducting, 
 it was necessary to shake up the filings by giving the 
 tube a slight tap. In the same year Professor Popoff 
 of Cronstadt used and described apparatus in which 
 an ordinary lightning conductor was employed for re- 
 ceiving waves, a coherer being inserted between it and 
 the earth. Across the coherer a cell was connected in 
 series with a relay, the contacts of which formed part 
 of a circuit containing a bell and a battery. The ham- 
 mer of the bell was so placed as to tap the coherer and 
 restore it to an insulating condition. 
 
 "In the same year, meaning 1895, Captain Jackson, 
 of the English navy, carried out a series of very inter- 
 esting experiments, and succeeded in signalling be- 
 tween ships. In 1896, Mr. Marconi took out a patent 
 for 'Improvements in Transmitting Electrical Im- 
 pulses and signals and in Apparatus therefore.' This 
 patent claims the previously known coherer and tap- 
 ping device, and also one or two novelties of a minor 
 kind, but the real invention appears to have been the 
 use of a long vertical wire attached to one side of a 
 spark-gap, the other side being connected to earth." 
 
 "Look here, Paul," Zenas interrupted at this point, 
 "when you get ready to tell me about what you call 
 wireless telegraphy, I'll be glad to listen ; but my head 
 ain't strong enough to take in any more of the bloomin' 
 guff. What's it all about, anyway?" 
 
 "I've been reading you the history of the discovery, 
 and if all that hadn't happened it wouldn't have been
 
 152 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 possible for me to learn from Ned, while he was at 
 Seaview and I on Barren island, that the schooner 
 which came here in the night is lying at harbor with 
 a splintered topmast." 
 
 "All that may be; but when you talk to me 'bout 
 coherers an' that sort of thing, how do I know what 
 you're tryin' to drive at?" 
 
 "Haven't I just been reading that the coherer Mr. 
 Marconi uses is a plain glass tube filled with metallic 
 filings?" 
 
 "Why not say so, then, an' not use a high-soundin' 
 name that a fellow like me wouldn't know from a hole 
 in the ground? I've got all the information on wire- 
 less telegraphy that I can stand up under this day. 
 Later, perhaps, after I've had time to grow a bit 
 stronger, I may be able to take another dose. What 
 do you count on doin' first after we strike Seaview?" 
 
 "I'll go directly to Captain Thompson, and after 
 delivering father's message I shall hunt up Ned." 
 
 "What am I to be doin' all that time?" 
 
 "Suppose you go to Mansfield's and buy three suits 
 of oilskins? Then you might run over to the machine 
 shop, and ask them to lay out these fittings for me," 
 and Paul gave to Zenas a slip of paper on which was 
 set down that which he needed to put the Hampton 
 boat in commission. "Ned and I will meet you at the 
 machinist's." 
 
 "All right, my hearty, an' s'posen you an' young 
 Bartlett unload yourselves of wireless telegraphy, so's 
 there won't be any show of your firm' a lot of big 
 words inter me on the passage over."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 153 
 
 Paul promised laughingly to do as Zenas desired, or 
 at least that he would not read to him anything more 
 from the book during this day, and then the two 
 fell to discussing matters on Barren island, specu- 
 lating as to what would be the result when Mr. 
 Simpson came upon the men in hiding, as he must do 
 at some time if a strict watch over the farm-house was 
 kept. 
 
 In the meanwhile the old dory was "eating up the 
 miles" at as good a rate of speed as she had ever 
 shown, and it was not yet noon when the visitors 
 stepped out on the pier in Sea view. 
 
 Leaving to Zenas the task of caring for the boat, 
 Paul hurried away to find Captain Tobi Thompson, 
 succeeding so well in his mission that within ten min- 
 utes from the time of coming ashore he had repeated 
 to the old sailor his father's message. 
 
 "I'll do all I can, my lad, an' it stands to reason that 
 if a man is so minded an' willing to use his tongue, he 
 ought to find out a good bit before that 'ere schooner 
 is in shape to leave her moorings ; but it ain't reason- 
 able to agree that I can get the facts together very 
 quick." 
 
 "I hardly fancy father expected I could bring back 
 the information; but if you'll tell Ned Bartlett what 
 you have learned, he'll telegraph it to me." 
 
 "So you two boys have really gone to work an' 
 rigged up a couple of wireless stations, eh?" 
 
 "Yes, sir, and they are working fairly well," Paul 
 replied modestly. 
 
 "Well now, that's what I call amazin'," Captain
 
 154 
 
 Tobi said in a voice as loud and hearty as if he had 
 been giving some order from his own quarter-deck. 
 "It's amazin' any way you look at it. First that you 
 two lads should be able to build the stations and get 
 the thing in runnin' order without help from outsiders, 
 and then again the idee of sending messages without 
 wires is equally amazin'. Why, in my day if a man 
 had come aboard ship and told me that such a thing 
 would be brought about, I'd have hustled him off to the 
 nearest asylum for crazy people, countin' that he had 
 gone clean off his head, an' yet here we are readin' 
 every mornin' ship news that has been sent by wireless. 
 Well, well, this earth is moving terribly fast, no mis- 
 take." 
 
 "Where is that schooner lying, Captain Tobi? I 
 looked for her when we came in, but didn't see any 
 craft that might answer the description." 
 
 "That's what I call the queer part of it. Instead of 
 haulin' in here where everythin' is handy, they must 
 needs sneak 'round the point, an' are layin' up at 
 Dean's fish wharf, just as if they wanted to keep out 
 of sight. When you come to think of it, that's the very 
 way for 'em to make people inquisitive. Why does a 
 vessel that's takin' on a new topmast go to the fish 
 wharf, instead of layin' up here near the yard where 
 the work has got to be done? If so be I may, I'd like to 
 ask why your father is so keen about the craft? Has 
 she been foolin' 'round Barren island rufflin' the 
 foxes?" 
 
 "She put in there the night of the storm, and then 
 -.vent to sea again," Paul replied hesitatingly, not
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 155 
 
 knowing whether he might be warranted in satisfying 
 the old sailor's curiosity. 
 
 "At all events, I reckon your father got suspicious 
 of 'em, else he wouldn't be callin' on me." 
 
 "I think perhaps he wanted to make certain whether 
 she was an honest craft or not. You will tell Ned 
 Bartlett, captain, when you have learned anything?" 
 
 "Aye, aye, my hearty, that I will, and you can count 
 on hearin' from me to-morrow night at the latest. 
 Meanwhile, tell your father that I will send him word 
 when the schooner puts to sea." 
 
 Then the two parted, Captain Tobi to spy upon the 
 schooner which had so lately visited Barren island, and 
 Paul to find his particular friend and fellow-operator, 
 Ned Bartlett. 
 
 This last task was not a long one. It was nearly 
 time for the noonday meal, and by going directly to 
 Ned's home Paul's search was ended. 
 
 There is little need to say that it was necessary that 
 the visitor from Barren island should give a detailed 
 account of all that had occurred on that desolate piece 
 of land before Ned was willing to speak of other mat- 
 ters, and after the story had been told in all its details 
 with injunctions of perfect secrecy, the two lads made 
 further arrangements as to the time when the stations 
 should be opened, Ned agreeing that he would be at his 
 post at least ten minutes three times each day namely, 
 at seven o'clock in the morning, twelve at noon, and 
 six at night. 
 
 In order, however, that Captain Thompson might 
 have ample opportunity to send such information as he
 
 156 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 succeeded in gaining regarding the schooner, tHe Sea- 
 view operator promised to be in his station during 
 every hour of the succeeding day, save when he was 
 obliged to go to the academy. 
 
 "I'll take my books down there, so I shan't be wast- 
 ing time, for you know I'm doing my level best to get 
 ahead of the class once more in order that I may pay 
 you a visit. It seems to me Barren island has sud- 
 denly become about the liveliest place on this coast, 
 and if hard work can bring it about, I am going to 
 have some part of a finger in the pie." 
 
 Then, while Ned ate his dinner, Paul hurried home 
 to see his mother, with the agreement that Ned was 
 to call for him on his way to the machine shop, where 
 Zenas was doubtless awaiting them. 
 
 The lad from Barren island did not make his mother 
 acquainted with all that had happened there, fearing 
 lest she would be unduly anxious if she knew that men 
 were hiding in the farm-house evidently for the pur- 
 pose of doing mischief. He explained why his father 
 intended to remain longer, by giving as a reason that 
 the male members of the Downs family were not at- 
 tending to their duties as had been agreed upon. 
 
 It seemed to Paul as if he had but just arrived home 
 when Ned came for him, and then it was his duty to 
 go because of his father's injunctions to return before 
 nightfall if possible. 
 
 Zenas had done his share of the work thoroughly, 
 as was learned a few moments later, and before the 
 academy bell rang to summon the pupils to the after- 
 noon session Ned was standing on the pier bidding
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 157 
 
 his friend adieu as the old dory, gathering speed each 
 instant, left the dock on her return to Barren island. 
 
 "Remember to-morrow!" Paul shouted warningly, 
 and Ned replied: 
 
 "Don't fear that I will forget, and if it's possible for 
 you or Zenas to come over here next week, I'll be ready 
 to go back with you for a few days." 
 
 "We'll come whenever you say the word. The 
 Hampton boat can make the voyage in a little more 
 than half the time this craft does, so it won't be much 
 of an undertaking." 
 
 Then the occupants of the dory were beyond hail- 
 ing distance, and, looking astern, Paul saw Ned wave 
 his hat vigorously, after which he hurried away in the 
 direction of the academy. 
 
 "I'll allow you've been talkin' this 'ere wireless busi- 
 ness so long an' so fast that there's no danger of my 
 gettin' another dose of it, eh ?" Zenas said with a grin 
 when they were well away from the land, and Paul 
 replied with a laugh: 
 
 "I declare I forgot what you wanted me to do. Ned 
 and I haven't even spoken on the subject, save to make 
 arrangements as to when he should be in the station; 
 but don't worry, Zenas. I won't insist upon your 
 knowing more about coherers, detectors, and spark 
 gaps until you are eager for the information; but if 
 you will once set about making yourself familiar with 
 the apparatus, I'll answer for it that you'd soon tire 
 me out with asking questions." 
 
 "Perhaps I may come to that; but it don't seem 
 likely. What with the foxes an' them as are tryin' to
 
 158 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 come at 'em, I reckon my time will 'be 'bout taken up. 
 I allow you count on puttin' the Hampton boat in 
 shape, seein's we shall get there so early in the after- 
 noon." 
 
 "I can do that in half an hour, if I made the meas- 
 urements for the fittings correctly. We will run along- 
 side of her when we come into the cove. You can 
 leave me aboard, and go on shore to report to father." 
 
 "It'll be a pretty slim kind of a report, seein's all I 
 can say is, 'Here are the oilskins, Mr. Simpson,' an' 
 he'll say, 'How much did you pay for 'em?' an' I'll 
 tell him I had 'em charged on his account." 
 
 "That'll be enough until we are in the shanty again. 
 I'm wondering if father will have anything startling 
 to tell us." 
 
 "I don't allow he's had time to find out very much. 
 Them as are hidin' over Daniel Downs's kitchen will 
 stay under cover pretty snug to-day, at all events ; but 
 when night comes, then our work is cut out, for we're 
 bound to keep that 'ere house mighty close under 
 our eyes without being seen by any of the Downs 
 family." 
 
 The old dory broke her record during this trip from 
 Seaview to Barren island, and the afternoon was but 
 little more than half spent when Zenas ran her along- 
 side the Hampton boat ; waited until Paul could scram- 
 ble out, taking his fittings with him, and then on to 
 the shore, agreeing to return half an hour later. 
 
 Before beginning his work of putting the big craft 
 into commission once more, Paul gazed curiously 
 around; but without seeing any signs of life save the
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 159 
 
 broad back of Zenas, as, having beached the old dory, 
 he went up toward the station. 
 
 Every one else on the island remained hidden from 
 view as if having some good reason for concealment, 
 and straightway the lad fell to imagining what might 
 have happened during his absence, conjuring up 
 the most improbable events with no other effect 
 than to make himself decidedly uncomfortable in 
 mind. 
 
 Then he began to work with feverish haste, having 
 almost persuaded himself that his father was in dire 
 need of him ashore, and when, after what seemed like 
 a very long time, Zenas came out in Mr. Downs's dory 
 to take him across to the beach, the lad's work was fin- 
 ished. 
 
 "Are you all right?" Zenas cried when he was 
 within easy hailing distance, and Paul replied nerv- 
 ously : 
 
 "I've done my work here, and so far as can be seen 
 this craft is in as good condition as before Mr. 
 Downs's friends tried their hand at disabling her. 
 What's the news ashore?" 
 
 "Nothin', so far as I can make out. Your father 
 wasn't at the station, so I went 'round to the farm- 
 house. Mrs. Downs said he wasn't feelin' well, an' 
 had gone upstairs to lay down." 
 
 "Sick, is he?" Paul cried apprehensively, and Zenas 
 grinned as he pulled the dory alongside the larger 
 craft, saying in a low tone : 
 
 "I reckon he ain't ailin' to hurt. Most likely thinks 
 he can keep his eye out on the Downs family easier
 
 160 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 while stayin' upstairs, than if he loafed 'round the out- 
 side." 
 
 "What are we to do about it?" Paul asked help- 
 lessly. 
 
 "I reckon it's a clean case of obeyin' orders, an* 
 nothin' more. He said we should wait for him at the 
 station, an' that's easy done. Ready to go ashore?" 
 
 Paul replied by leaping into the dory, and as the 
 boat's bow was headed for the beach he said half to 
 himself : 
 
 "I don't like the idea of father's staying in that 
 house." 
 
 "Why not?" 
 
 "Because there's no knowing what might happen 
 if those men discovered that he was watching them. 
 People who would go so far as they have to work mis- 
 chief, might be willing to commit a yet greater crime," 
 
 "Now don't get any such idees in your head, lad, 
 else you'll be all worked up, an' no good done. It 
 strikes me you're pilin' up the agony from nothin' but 
 your imagination. It isn't anythin' very far out of the 
 ordinary to steal fox pelts, an' not so serious when 
 taken into a court of law; but more than that would 
 likely land Mr. Downs's boarders in the State Prison." 
 
 "Father seems to think that what has already been 
 attempted is a very serious matter." 
 
 "Aye, so it is when you look at it from the fox end. 
 He's figurin' to save the money that's been invested, 
 an' wants to do the job up so brown that these fellers 
 won't try the dodge agin. They think nobody except 
 the Downs family knows they're on the island, an' that
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 161 
 
 it will be easy to shut our eyes. But betwixt the three 
 of us I'll allow that they're goin' to get considerable of 
 a jolt before this business is ended." 
 
 While this conversation was being carried on Paul 
 and Zenas were walking in a direct line from the beach 
 to the shanty, which course would take them some dis- 
 tance from Mr. Downs's home, and when they had" 
 arrived nearly opposite the dwelling, both were some- 
 what surprised to see the farmer come out, waving his 
 hand energetically for them to stop. 
 
 "What's the matter?" Paul asked solicitously, fear- 
 ing on the instant that something of harm might have 
 come to his father. 
 
 "I was wantin' to ask why you wasn't more sociable- 
 like ? It seems as if you counted on keepin' away from 
 us, when you sneak up from the shore in this way, af- 
 ter havin' been over to Seaview for a visit." 
 
 "We were going to the station, and there's no real 
 reason why we should go to the house at this time 
 of the day," Paul said with just a shade of hesitation 
 in his voice, for he hardly knew how to reply to this 
 seeming reproach. 
 
 "Got business over there, eh?" Mr. Downs asked 
 inquisitively. 
 
 "Nothing more than that we ought to be on hand 
 in case any one wants to send us a message." 
 
 "Who might you be countin' on would send word 
 to you now your father's here?" and Paul had good 
 reason, from the expression pn the old man's face, to 
 believe that there was more than simple curiosity in 
 the question. It seemed very much as if Mr. Downs
 
 1 62 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 was afraid information which would not be pleasing to 
 himself might be sent from the mainland. 
 
 "Ned Bartlett always calls me up toward night, and 
 I like to be there to answer." 
 
 "What does he have to talk about so much ? It must 
 be you have jest seen him, eh?" 
 
 "Yes, he was at the pier when we left." 
 
 "An' you are expectin' he'll send some word over 
 to-night?" 
 
 "I wasn't expecting it; but counted on being there 
 in case he wanted to talk with me," Paul said, now 
 speaking curtly, for the farmer's tone was not pleasing. 
 "Even if I wasn't needed at the instrument, it would 
 be better for Zenas and I to spend our time in the 
 shanty than sitting around your kitchen, where we 
 might inconvenience Mrs. Downs." 
 
 "I s'pose you don't know about your father, eh?" 
 Mr. Downs asked abruptly after a brief pause. 
 
 "Know about him ? What do you mean ?" 
 
 "Didn't mother tell this feller here that he was sick 
 in bed?" 
 
 "She said he wasn't feelin' very well, an' had gone 
 upstairs to lay down, that's all," Zenas added. 
 
 "Wa'al, I reckon that's about the sum an' substance 
 of what she did say ; but the fact is, sonny, your father's 
 a sick man, an' seems to me like as if you ought'er 
 telegraph for your mother to send after him. This 'ere 
 island ain't any place for a man that's ailin', an' the 
 sooner he's taken off of it the better." 
 
 "I reckon he won't go till he gets good an' ready," 
 Zenas said with his purring laugh. "When Benjamin
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 163 
 
 K. Simpson gets so that he's got to be taken off the 
 island, he'll be a pretty sick man, an' I'll answer for it 
 that he couldn't walk upstairs alone." 
 
 "Wa'al, perhaps it's none of my business anyway; 
 but it kind'er struck me as though you ought'er tell 
 your ma just how he is, so she can advise him to go 
 home. Of course mother an' I'll do all we can to make 
 him comfortable ; but we ain't got the kind of a place 
 that he's been in the habit of livin' in." 
 
 "Did you think he looked very sick when you saw 
 him last?" Paul asked, now beginning to understand 
 the meaning of the farmer's sudden solicitation re- 
 garding his employer's health. 
 
 "He wasn't right peart, that's a fact. Said he 
 guessed he'd better go upstairs an' take to the bed a 
 spell. 'Twixt you an' me, when a man like him admits 
 as much as that, things have got pretty serious, so 
 you'll tell your ma about it, will you?" 
 
 "I'll wait until father gives his permission." 
 
 "Take my advice, an' do it now, without sayin' a 
 word to him, 'cause when a man of his age gets to 
 feelin' poorly, it ain't long before he runs down hill 
 fast." 
 
 "Paul will fix it all right 'twixt now an' night, Mr. 
 Downs," Zenas said, and then, without seemingly giv- 
 ing heed to his movements, he linked his arm in the 
 lad's, forcing him to a rapid pace. 
 
 "Think over what I've said, an' don't wait to talk 
 with him," Mr. Downs called after them, and, looking 
 back an instant later, the two saw that he was slowly 
 retracing his steps to the house.
 
 1 64 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "The old rat!" Zenas exclaimed when they were at 
 such a distance that there was no danger his words 
 could be overheard. "Wants to get rid of your father, 
 eh? An' counts on makin' you do the job? If Daniel 
 Downs is never any sicker than Benjamin K. Simpson 
 is this minute, he'll live until Gabriel's last trump is 
 sounded. Mind what I'm tellin' you, lad: Them 
 boarders of his have got tired of hidin' in that hot attic 
 over the kitchen, an' if Downs can't bring about any 
 change in the situation, they'll make a break 'twixt 
 now an* to-morrow mornin'. We've got our night's 
 work cut out for us all right, an' I'm thinkin' it 
 wouldn't be at all foolish if we bottled up a little sleep 
 now while your father's on guard." 
 
 "You can take a nap if you feel like it; but I can't 
 close my eyes while affairs are in this condition," Paul 
 replied as he slackened his pace ; but quickened it again 
 very suddenly when he saw Sam Downs apparently 
 coming from the head of Swallow-Tailed cove toward 
 the station. 
 
 "What's the fellow doing?" Zenas asked sharply. 
 
 "I'm not too certain that he wouldn't do a mischief 
 to the apparatus if he could." 
 
 Zenas was walking so swiftly as to make it seem 
 that he was running, when he came face to face with 
 Sam a dozen feet or more from the door of the shanty. 
 
 "Hello!" Farmer Downs's son cried in a friendly 
 tone, but looking, so Paul thought, as if he had been 
 caught on the verge of mischief. "What's your 
 hurry?" 
 
 "I wanted to get into trie station so's to take a nap,"
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 165 
 
 Zenas stammered. "Didn't sleep very well last 
 night" 
 
 "It seems like all hands of you are wantin' to lay 
 down to-day. There's Mr. Simpson, he's up in the 
 spare room; been there about all the time you were 
 gone, an' now you're in sich a pucker that you've got 
 to run in order to get inter bed." 
 
 Zenas was forced to wait until Paul came to open 
 the door, and Sam followed them into the building 
 without waiting for an invitation. 
 
 One glance around the small room told the wireless 
 operator that nothing had been disturbed during his 
 absence, and with a feeling of greater relief in his mind 
 than he would have cared to admit, Paul asked of 
 Sam: 
 
 "Where have you been ?" 
 
 "Just movin' 'round, back and forth, 'cordin' to or- 
 ders. It seems like we've got to keep humpin' ourselves 
 all the time on account of them foxes, whether there's 
 any stranger in sight or not." 
 
 "I thought your father did the watchin' in the day- 
 time, so's you an' your brother could get a chance to 
 sleep," Zenas suggested slowly. 
 
 "So he does; but I thought I'd have a look 'round 
 seein's how I've got through with the bed for this day. 
 What's the news over to Seaview?" 
 
 "Nothing much, except that a schooner put in there 
 during the night of the gale with her topmast gone 
 carried away outside; near-about here 'cordin' to what 
 I heard." 
 
 "So she What's her name?"
 
 1 66 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "I don't know; she's layin' at Dean's wharf, like as 
 if she didn't want anybody to see her. We had other 
 fish to fry, an' wasn't very keen 'bout lookin' at 
 her." 
 
 Sam appeared more disturbed by this information 
 than an honest lad would naturally be. The carrying 
 away of a topmast was not of such rare occurrence as 
 to excite alarm, or even surprise, and yet the boy gave 
 good evidence of both. 
 
 "Did you tell father what you heard 'bout the 
 schooner ?" he asked with an anxious note in his tone, 
 and Zenas replied carelessly: 
 
 "We didn't allow it would have any great weight 
 on his mind. 'Pears to me you're takin' it pretty hard, 
 seein's she's a stranger that most likely you never saw 
 nor heard of." 
 
 "What? Me?" and Sam's face flushed. "I ain't 
 takin' it to heart, am I ? It wouldn't make any differ- 
 ence to me if forty schooners lost their spars in the 
 gale, 'cept they come 'round here, would it?" 
 
 "Well, I shouldn't suppose it would, only you're 
 lookin' frightened, as if some of your best friends 
 might have been on board." 
 
 "Who? Me? I ain't frightened. I've got nothing 
 to do with any schooner. How long is she likely to 
 stay there before gettin' fixed up agin?" 
 
 "I couldn't tell you, my son, for I didn't charge my 
 mind with anythin' of the kind, though it seems to me 
 like it would be quite a spell. If she'd hauled up near 
 the shipyard now, it wouldn't have been any lengthy 
 job. But while she's wav over to Dean's wharf there
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 167 
 
 must be considerable time wasted. Like as not the 
 schooner won't get out of Seaview for a week yet." 
 
 Sam turned toward the door, and Zenas, enjoying 
 his alarm and embarrassment, said in a most friendly 
 tone as he laid his hand on the boy's shoulder to de- 
 tain him: 
 
 "What's your rush? Why don't you stop here for 
 a spell, seein's how your father's on duty, an' you can't 
 be needed." 
 
 "I've got to get back to the house," and Sam 
 wrenched himself free from Zenas's detaining grasp. 
 "There's somethin' I forgot to do, an' marm will just 
 about have the fidgets if I haven't finished it before 
 dark. I'll get back for a talk some other time." 
 
 Then the boy went swiftly toward the farm build- 
 ings, and Zenas said as he purred with delight : 
 
 "I reckon I've put a flea in his ear, an' he'll stick 
 another one in the old man's head. If they believe the 
 schooner can't get back here within a week's time, you 
 mark my words that there'll be some change in their 
 plans. It wouldn't be any small joke to keep those 
 boarders of Downs's fryin' in that attic a week or so, 
 would it?"
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 PATROLLING THE COAST 
 
 ZENAS was still laughing over the situation of the 
 visitors in the attic of the farm-house, as he had pic- 
 tured it in case strict watch should be kept upon the 
 building, when Ernest entered without ceremony, and 
 as Paul looked up inquiringly, he said: 
 
 "Your father wants to see you right away. I reckon 
 he's taken pretty bad, an' all our folks think he ought'er 
 be carried home 'bout as soon as it can be done." 
 
 Now Paul was really alarmed. He could not believe 
 his father would have sent such a message unless it 
 was a physical impossibility for him to leave the house, 
 and, without waiting to ask any questions, he hurried 
 away, crying to Zenas as he ran: 
 
 "You'd best stay right where you are so that I 
 shan't have any trouble to find you in case father is 
 needing more help than I can give him." 
 
 "I'll stay an' keep my eye on young Downs, so's to 
 make certain he don't do any mischief," Zenas cried 
 laughingly, and without the slightest intent to intimate 
 that the lad might need watching; but Ernest looked 
 decidedly troubled, as if he knew there were good rea- 
 sons why he should not be trusted implicitly. His face 
 flushed, and he shuffled his feet about as he asked 
 stammeringly : 
 
 "What makes you think there's any need of keepin* 
 watch over me?" 
 
 168
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 169 
 
 "It's a rule of mine, sonny, to allow that every fel- 
 low will bear watchin', an' I can't see why I should 
 leave you out of the list." 
 
 "I haven't done anythin' that Mr. Simpson wouldn't 
 like," Ernest cried, and on the instant Zenas looked 
 at him questioningly, saying after a pause: 
 
 "I allow that you haven't been accused, an' that's 
 why it sounds funny to hear you standin' up for your- 
 self so strong. If you hadn't done anythin' crooked, 
 you wouldn't be so keen to pick up a word spoken in a 
 joke, same's when I answered Paul." 
 
 Ernest's face flushed even more deeply than before, 
 and he moved about the small apartment uneasily as 
 he replied accusingly : 
 
 "You fellows are keepin* everythin' so secret, an* 
 hug to yourselves so snug up here, that it looks as if 
 somethin' was wrong. I ain't the only one what's got 
 the same idee in his head." 
 
 "Meanin' that your father is kind'er uneasy, eh?" 
 
 "Wa'al, he can't make out what you folks are drivin' 
 at, an' that's a fact." 
 
 "Why should he care?" Zenas asked with an air of 
 innocence. "So long as he lives up to the bargain he 
 made with Mr. Simpson, I can't see why he should 
 bother his head over what we're doin'. This 'ere is 
 what you might call a telegraph station, an' it stands to 
 reason we'd be 'round it a good deal so's to know if 
 anybody wanted to send a message." 
 
 "Who'd send any word while you're here? Is any- 
 thin' goin' on over to Seaview that you'd need hear 
 about?"
 
 1 70 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "Why bless your heart, of course there is. Paul 
 might like to hear what his mother had for dinner, or 
 how Ned was comin' on at the academy. You see 
 we're bound to keep abreast of the news, even though 
 we are on the most desolate place that can be found in 
 the Atlantic ocean." 
 
 "Is that all you folks telegraph about?" Ernest 
 asked curiously. 
 
 "Of course I can't say right up an' down what kind 
 of news does come across here, for it's only a lot of 
 dots and dashes when Paul picks 'em out. He can read 
 it, though, an' there's no way for me to know whether 
 he tells me about the whole of it." 
 
 Ernest looked puzzled, and it appeared to Zenas as 
 if he was on the point of asking more questions; but at 
 that moment Paul could be seen coming toward the 
 shanty hurriedly, and the lad shuffled out of the build- 
 ing to ask : 
 
 "How's your father?" 
 
 "I don't believe he's very sick; most likely he'll come 
 over here after supper." 
 
 "Then he ain't goin' home right away?" 
 
 "I don't know of any good reason why he should. 
 It is for him to say how long he'll stay." 
 
 "Yes, of course it is; but my folks think he's real 
 sick, an' ought'er be taken off the island as soon as it 
 can be done." 
 
 "So your father told me; but I'm of the belief that 
 there won't be any move made in that direction for 
 some time to come," Paul replied with a note of sharp- 
 ness in his voice, and then he hurried into the shanty,
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 171 
 
 where, through the open door, 'he watched keenly until 
 Ernest had lazily moved beyond earshot. 
 
 "Was anything wrong?" Zenas asked in a low tone, 
 for he understood that Paul had that to say which 
 should not be overheard by any member of the Downs 
 family. 
 
 "Father wants to get out of doors, for he's tired of 
 being cooped up in that room ; but he won't come until 
 you are where it will be possible to keep a sharp eye on 
 the buildings, at the same time that you can remain 
 hidden from view." 
 
 "I reckon that can be done, providin' old Daniel 
 don't keep too keen a lookout when I go snoopin' 
 'round. There's quite a pile of wood stacked up be- 
 hind the shed, an' I might get out of sight there, un- 
 less some of the family came nosin' that way." 
 
 "Father says that you are to do the best you can, 
 and I am to loiter around between the buildings and 
 the cove. He has heard the men stirring about as if 
 growing impatient because of being imprisoned there, 
 and believes an attempt will be made this night to get 
 them outside." 
 
 "That's my idee to a dot," Zenas added emphati- 
 cally. "Now old Daniel knows that the schooner 
 ain't likely to be here for some time, he's keen to get 
 'em where they won't come so near roastin'." 
 
 "We are to make no move until the horn blows, 
 when you and I are to go to the farm-house for supper. 
 After it has been eaten we're to take our stations, and 
 he'll come downstairs." 
 
 "Then what?"
 
 172 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "He didn't explain "further. It seems, however, 
 that we're to have our eyes peeled till morning, and in 
 case the visitors succeed in giving us the slip, I'm to keep 
 the Hampton boat running around the island to prevent 
 them from leaving. He believes that by giving these 
 fellows, whoever they may be, a stiff dose, it will pre- 
 vent others from attempting to do the foxes a mischief." 
 
 "An' he's right. I'm hopin' that John Ed Bingham 
 is one of them as are being fried in Mrs. Downs's at- 
 tic, in which case he'll be brought up with a round turn 
 such as he's never felt before. Somehow that old 
 scoundrel has got off by the skin of his teeth every 
 time he's been in mischief, an' quite a lesson is needed 
 before he'll decide to behave himself. What about this 
 'ere while you're doin' guard duty?" and Zenas mo- 
 tioned with his thumb toward the instruments which 
 made up the wireless apparatus. 
 
 "As a matter of course it won't be possible to send 
 or receive messages, and it isn't likely that we'll be 
 called upon to do anything of the kind until Captain 
 Thompson has learned something regarding the 
 schooner." 
 
 Then Zenas decided that it would be a good idea 
 for him to select a hiding-place in advance of the time 
 when it would be necessary to occupy it, and Paul was 
 left alone to wait until the horn should be blown sum- 
 moning the family to supper. 
 
 He spent his time in guarding against a possible 
 mischief to any of the apparatus, so far as was 
 within his power, and so arranged things, as he be- 
 lieved, that it would be extremely difficult for any one
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 173 
 
 not understanding the mechanism to put the station 
 out of commission. 
 
 He had but just ceased his precautionary labors 
 when Zenas returned, and said as he rilled and lighted 
 his pipe: 
 
 "I reckon I've got a hidin' place all right. To the 
 s'uthard of the woodshed, an' not more'n twenty feet 
 from it, are the timbers of a buildin' that most likely 
 fell down because of old age. I can crawl under them, 
 if nobody is watchin', an' never a soul will know I'm 
 near the house, unless the ruins are overhauled." 
 
 "You can eat your supper in a hurry, and go out of 
 doors while all hands are at the table. That will settle 
 matters, so far as your being seen while getting into 
 the hiding place is concerned." 
 
 "You're right, an' the minute that horn begins to 
 toot I'll make a bee line for the house," and Zenas in- 
 dulged in a purring laugh which came near being his 
 undoing, for he swallowed a quantity of tobacco 
 smoke, and had but just recovered from a severe fit 
 of coughing when the signal that the evening meal 
 was ready could be heard. 
 
 Everything happened as Paul and Zenas had ar- 
 ranged. The members of the Downs family had 
 hardly more than well begun supper when young 
 Gushing pushed his chair back from the table with the 
 air of one who has satisfied his hunger, and despite 
 Mrs. Downs's entreaties that he "eat a little more," ran 
 out of the room, shutting the door behind him with 
 a- bang that warned Mr. Simpson it was time for him 
 to abandon his unpleasant post of duty.
 
 174 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 Paul had left the building before his father ap- 
 peared, and five minutes later was lying on the grass 
 between the house and the cove, where he must of 
 necessity see any one who came out of or went into the 
 farmer's dwelling. 
 
 Half an hour later Mr. Simpson joined his son, sit- 
 ting by the latter's side as he said in a low tone: 
 
 "Perhaps it would be as well for you to go into the 
 station a few moments, in case Captain Tobi has any 
 message to send. I'll wait here till you come back. 
 Make an arrangement to have Ned at his instrument 
 early in the morning." 
 
 "He has already agreed to be there at seven o'clock, 
 sir." 
 
 "Very well; that will be early enough. Now find 
 out if he wants to say anything to you, and then come 
 back here to me." 
 
 Paul hurried away; but owing to the care with 
 which he had disconnected the apparatus that no harm 
 might come to it from evil-disposed persons, it was a 
 full half hour before he could send out the call of n-d, 
 and in the meanwhile Sam Downs had come into the 
 shanty, looking curiously around, as if fancying some 
 changes might have been made since he was there 
 last. 
 
 "What's goin' on now?" he asked, coming close to 
 Paul's side as if fascinated by his rapid working of 
 the telegraph key. 
 
 "Nothing out of the ordinary run that I know of," 
 Paul replied as he continued the call, stopping now 
 and then to switch on the receiver and listen.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 175 
 
 "Seems like as if you was in a terrible hurry to rout 
 out somebody, don't it?" 
 
 "I am trying to call Ned Bartlett, that's all; but 
 there's no hurry about it. One is forced to work this 
 key quickly in order to form the letters correctly." 
 
 Before Sam could ask any further questions the re- 
 ply came: 
 
 "O. K. n-d. Why weren't you there at six?" 
 
 "Other business," Paul replied, Sam watching his 
 every movement jealously. "Have you heard any- 
 thing?" 
 
 "No. Schooner still at fish wharf. Captain Tobi 
 is at Mansfield's with a man who may be the captain. 
 Shall you call me up again to-night ?" 
 
 "Can't, because of other work." 
 
 "Anything lively going on?" 
 
 "Zenas thinks something will drop before morning. 
 Good-night." 
 
 "Good-night. Don't get into more trouble than you 
 can get out of," and the telegraphic conversation was 
 at an end until next morning. 
 
 "What has he been sayin' , if he did really talk 
 through that contraption?" Sam asked curiously, and 
 Paul replied with a laugh, as once more he made the 
 station snug for the night beyond all ordinary possibil- 
 ity that harm could be done the apparatus : 
 
 "He says he will talk with me in the morning." 
 
 "Seems to me it took a good while for him to say 
 that little," Sam replied, as if he believed it was Paul's 
 purpose to deceive him in some way. 
 
 "Well, he did say a bit more; but it was nothing
 
 176 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 that would be of interest to you. If you don't believe 
 messages can be sent without wires, why are you so 
 curious to know what I pretend was said?" 
 
 "Wa'al, you see, we ain't jest certain but that it all 
 works as you say, an' it stands to reason a fellow would 
 like to know what might be goin' on." 
 
 "All that concerns us is to prevent any one from do- 
 ing a mischief to the foxes," Paul said as he opened the 
 door, intending that Sam should construe the move- 
 ment as an invitation for him to take his departure. 
 
 "I reckon they're all right," the lad replied without 
 giving any heed to the mute invitation. "The trouble 
 is that you an' your father are too finnicky 'bout the 
 creeters. They'll take care of themselves, an' be a good 
 deal better off if you'll leave 'em alone. We've promised 
 that nobody shall land here, an' will keep our word." 
 
 "Of course you will, else it would be necessary for 
 father to put others in your place. Now if you will 
 go out, I can lock the shanty." 
 
 "What's the need of doin' that?" Sam asked sus- 
 piciously. "When there's nobody but us folks on the 
 island, I don't see why you should be so fussy." 
 
 "It doesn't do any harm," Paul replied with a laugh, 
 "and in case any person did happen to get ashore de- 
 spite your watchfulness, he couldn't do mischief 
 here." 
 
 Sam looked inquiringly at the lad from Seaview, as 
 if trying to decide whether there might be any hidden 
 meaning in his words, and meanwhile Paul gently, but 
 with a certain determination, forced him toward the 
 door until he was on the outside.
 
 'HERE HE IS! COME AND HELP ME!"
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 177 
 
 "Now where are you goin' ?" Master Downs asked, 
 in no way disconcerted by thus being forcibly ejected. 
 
 "I count on loafing around a spell in the open air. 
 It's too good a night to stay indoors. Isn't it time for 
 you to begin your rounds of the shore? I thought you 
 and Ernest went on duty at sunset." 
 
 "That's in the bargain, but if all hands of you are 
 snoopin' 'round, there's no need of our joinin' the pro- 
 cession," Sam replied, and then added suddenly, 
 "Where's the other fellow?" 
 
 "At the cove, I fancy. Since some one disabled the 
 Hampton boat, even when you and Ernest were sup- 
 posed to be standing careful watch, it is up to us to see 
 that such a thing doesn't happen again," and Paul set 
 out in the direction of the farm-house as if he would 
 part company with Master Downs; but Sam was not 
 to be shaken off so easily." 
 
 "Of course nobody had any thin' to do with the boat 
 but you," he replied doggedly. "None of our folks 
 would have hurt her, an' you must have got flustered 
 an' lost the nuts an' sparker, so father says." 
 
 "He forgets that I showed him good proof some 
 person had landed that morning," Paul added, and 
 then he was come to where his' father, in the attitude 
 of one who is simply idling away the time, remained 
 on watch. 
 
 Not until then did Sam take himself away, and 
 when he was beyond earshot on a course which would- 
 lead him to the cove, most likely in search of Zenas, 
 Paul asked in a whisper : 
 
 "Have you seen anything suspicious ?"
 
 178 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "I might say yes or no with equal truth," Mr. Simp- 
 son replied. "Five minutes ago I fancied some person 
 came out of the kitchen door by the side of Mrs. 
 Downs; but I must have been mistaken, for when she 
 went into the woodshed no one was to be seen. A mo- 
 ment later I thought I heard what sounded like a cry 
 of distress; but it couldn't have been, for there is no 
 one near here to do mischief, and, besides, otherwise 
 everything has been as still as the grave. Did Ned 
 have any news for us ?" 
 
 Paul repeated all that his friend had said, and then 
 told his father of Sam's visit, adding in conclusion : 
 
 "Mr. Downs and his sons must think you are com- 
 municating with the mainland in a way that will work 
 to their harm, otherwise they wouldn't be so curious 
 regarding what comes or goes over the wireless." 
 
 "Knowing they are engaged in an act of treachery 
 against me, it is only natural they should be unduly 
 suspicious. You are to stay nearabout here, where you 
 can keep the buildings in full view, and I will move 
 around a bit. I haven't seen Mr. Downs since supper, 
 and would really like to know if he is yet in the house." 
 
 Paul was not in the mood to walk more than might 
 be absolutely necessary, and after his father left him 
 he lay stretched out at full length on the grass, with 
 his face turned toward the house, enjoying a short re- 
 spite from the excitement under which he had labored 
 since morning. 
 
 Within his range of vision no human being could 
 be seen. The surf was singing a sleepy song, as if 
 wearied from its exertions during the gale; now and
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 179 
 
 then one of the steers lowed as if because of being dis- 
 turbed, and a night bird swooped around the prostrate 
 lad with a soft note of gladness. All else was silence. 
 
 Lazily Paul wondered where Ernest was and where 
 Sam had gone. He felt certain he knew exactly the 
 location of Zenas's hiding place, and did not spend 
 overly much time gazing in that direction. 
 
 Mr. Simpson had strolled, as if aimlessly, toward 
 the house, evidently intending to circle around the 
 northerly portion, and when he disappeared from view 
 behind the building Paul watched with no especial 
 eagerness for his reappearance at the southerly end. 
 
 It was while he lay there speculating as to what his 
 father might be doing in the rear of the dwelling, that 
 he was startled into a sitting posture by what sounded 
 like a moan of distress, and he listened intently, his 
 heart beating wildly, until satisfying himself that he 
 must have been mistaken, when he stretched out at full 
 length once more. 
 
 Night was coming on rapidly. The gaudy colors 
 sent by the setting sun had faded from the clouds ; the 
 grayness of twilight was giving place to darkness 
 when again he was aroused, and this time he sprang 
 to his feet almost believing some accident had hap- 
 pened to his father, who as yet had not come from be- 
 hind the dwelling. 
 
 "That was surely a human voice!" he exclaimed, 
 unconsciously speaking aloud. "My orders were to 
 remain here ; but if I hear that sound again I'll take the 
 chances of disobeying father to learn what it means." 
 
 At that moment Mr. Downs appeared, coming from
 
 180 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 the direction of the thicket where the foxes had been 
 liberated, and despite the gloom of night, Paul fancied 
 that he could see the farmer looking about him fur- 
 tively, as if fearing some one might have been dogging 
 his footsteps. 
 
 As he approached the house the man halted now and 
 then to gaze around, and Paul crouched low on the 
 earth lest the outlines of his form should be seen 
 against the sky. 
 
 After loitering around irresolutely five minutes or 
 more, Mr. Downs went into the dwelling, and a few 
 seconds later, to his great relief of mind, Paul saw his 
 father come from behind the house. 
 
 Mr. Simpson showed himself boldly, as if not afraid 
 of being seen, and hurriedly approached his son. 
 
 "What have you seen?" he demanded sharply. 
 
 "Nothing, except Mr. Downs as he came from the 
 woods at least, it seemed to me he came from there." 
 
 "The men have got out of the house despite our 
 watching." 
 
 "How do you know that, sir?" 
 
 "The window of the attic is open, and when I came 
 here from supper it was closed. Downs also got out 
 of the house without being seen by us, and, as you say, 
 he has just come from the thicket, although it was in 
 the bargain that neither he nor his sons should go 
 among the trees until I gave permission. Have you 
 heard anything?" 
 
 "Twice a sound like a person moaning, and I had 
 made up my mind that I'd go to find out what it might 
 be if it was heard again."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 181 
 
 "Do you know where Zenas made his hiding place?" 
 
 "Under the timbers of the ruined building just back 
 of the shed. If, as you believe, the men have left the 
 house, there is no reason why he should remain there 
 any longer." 
 
 "Call him in. I will wait here. You and he must 
 patrol the shore in the Hampton boat from now till 
 morning, for I don't intend those fellows shall leave 
 the island save with my permission. We will anchor 
 the old motor boat and Mr. Downs's dory out where 
 they can't be come at save by swimming." 
 
 Paul stole softly away in obedience to his father's 
 bidding, having no doubt but that he could come upon 
 Zenas at the first trial ; but on arriving at the ruins he 
 spoke Cushing's name softly three or four times with- 
 out receiving any reply. 
 
 Then came the thought that most likely Zenas, hav- 
 ing seen the strangers leaving the farm-house, had fol- 
 lowed to dog their footsteps, therefore he returned to 
 acquaint his father with what he supposed to be a fact. 
 
 Mr. Simpson was on the shore of the cove launching 
 the old motor boat, and when Paul told him of the con- 
 clusion he had arrived at, appeared decidedly alarmed. 
 
 "It is certain Zenas did not follow the men, other- 
 wise I must have seen him when I went near the 
 thicket. Go back to the ruins and overhaul the tim- 
 bers, giving no heed as to whether or no you are seen 
 by the Downs family." 
 
 Paul, alarmed by his father's show of anxiety, ran 
 back at full speed, allowing his imagination to picture 
 all kinds of dark deeds that might have been done, and
 
 182 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 arriving at the ruins of the building he pulled away the 
 timbers with feverish haste, calling the name of Zenas 
 now and then. 
 
 While working Mr. Downs came from the house 
 looking and acting as if alarmed, and cried out to Paul 
 in tremulous tones: 
 
 "What's goin' on there, young man? What's the 
 matter?" 
 
 "I heard some one moan, and the noise sounded as 
 if it might have come from beneath these timbers," 
 Paul replied as he continued his work even after the 
 farmer had seized him by the arm, saying angrily : 
 
 "Go back where you belong to your shanty, or in- 
 ter the house. If anybody is groanin' 'round here it's 
 my business to hunt for 'em. If there is a hurt man 
 under these 'ere timbers he can't be any of your folks." 
 
 "But that's just who he can be. Zenas should be 
 around here somewhere. He isn't with father." 
 
 "What's he meddlin' with my property for?" Mr. 
 Downs screamed in a loud but shaky voice as he 
 dragged Paul back a few paces, and the lad, now con- 
 vinced that this seemingly innocent-minded old man 
 was really in league with his father's enemies, 
 wrenched himself free from the detaining grasp as he 
 said angrily : 
 
 "Don't you touch me, Mr. Downs, or I'll call to 
 father for help. Zenas is here somewhere, and I count 
 on finding him whether you like it or not." 
 
 "You shan't meddle with my property," the old man 
 repeated again and again, as if not fully aware of what 
 he was saying, and at that instant, having been at-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 183 
 
 tracted by the outcries, Mr. Simpson came up hurriedly 
 as he shouted: 
 
 "What's going on, Paul? Leave that boy alone, 
 Downs, or you'll have trouble with me!" 
 
 "I won't have him diggin' 'round my buildin's," the 
 old man wailed childishly, and Mr. Simpson cried : 
 
 "You don't own a stick or a stone on this place. Do 
 as you had begun, Paul, and if we don't find Zenas 
 soon I will take the law into my own hands, which 
 won't be pleasant for those who are playing me false." 
 
 "Nobody is tryin' to hurt you, Mr. Simpson," the 
 old farmer muttered, and then he would have set off 
 toward the cove; but that Paul's father stopped him 
 by saying sternly : 
 
 "Come back here ! Neither you nor your sons are to 
 move a boat this night, even though one of them is 
 your lawful property. Come here by my side, and 
 you'll be wise to make certain your sons don't venture 
 on the shore near by here." 
 
 Meanwhile Paul was pulling the timbers aside to 
 the best of his ability, cutting his hands on rusty nails, 
 and tearing the flesh of his fingers with jagged splin- 
 ters of wood. There was a great fear in his heart that 
 some grievous wrong had been done Zenas, and he gave 
 no heed to his own injuries. 
 
 Then, while his father was actually holding the old 
 farmer to prevent him from going toward the cove, 
 Paul came upon that for which he sought, and a cry 
 of distress escaped his lips. 
 
 "Here he is, dead I believe! Come and help me, 
 father!"
 
 1 84 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 Mr. Simpson forced Daniel Downs to go with him 
 as he scrambled over the timbers until it was possible 
 to see an apparently lifeless form half doubled under 
 a heavy beam, and then, raising his voice to the full 
 strength of his lungs, he shouted the names of Sam and 
 Ernest. 
 
 "Aren't you going to help me get the poor fellow 
 out?" Paul asked in sorrowful surprise. 
 
 "We will force those to aid us whom we have 
 hired, for you must go down to the cove. I towed the 
 old dory out to the Hampton boat; but the craft be- 
 longing to Mr. Downs is yet on the beach, and I am 
 not minded any one shall leave this island in her, even 
 though Zenas apparently stands in sore need of help, 
 if indeed he is alive. It will be a dark night's work 
 for you and yours, Daniel Downs, if real harm has 
 come to the poor fellow. Go to the cove, Paul, and 
 defend yourself with anything that may come handy, 
 if you are attacked either by strangers or those whom 
 you know. I will attend to Zenas." 
 
 Then, as Paul unwillingly obeyed this command, 
 Mr. Simpson shouted again the names of the boys, and 
 after a brief pause Paul could hear them reply from 
 the direction of the thicket. 
 
 "Come here at once and help your father!" Mr. 
 Simpson cried peremptorily, and before he had gained 
 his station near Mr. Downs's dory, Paul could tell by 
 the sound of voices that the boys were at the scene of 
 what must have been foul play. 
 
 The lad believed a murder had been committed, and, 
 quite naturally, he was terrified in the highest degree.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 185 
 
 He looked about him for a weapon, feeling convinced 
 that an attack would speedily be made upon him as on 
 Zenas ; but could find nothing that promised protection 
 against those who had seemingly been so desperate. 
 
 "It must have been that the men came upon him 
 while they were sneaking out of the house, and, to pre- 
 vent him from giving an alarm, killed the poor fellow," 
 he muttered to himself as he searched in vain for that 
 which would serve his purpose. Then it flashed across 
 his mind that the purpose in sending him to guard the 
 cove was to make certain none of the boats could be 
 used in the escape that would likely be attempted, and 
 with a sigh of relief he shoved Mr. Downs's dory into 
 the water, leaping into her as he pulled toward the 
 Hampton boat. 
 
 "I can take care of all three while they are at anchor 
 in deep water, because nobody may come near me save 
 by swimming," he said, and this thought served to 
 allay his terror somewhat. 
 
 Coming alongside the Hampton boat he scrambled 
 into her, after making the dory fast, and then strained 
 his eyes into the gloom, striving to make out what 
 might be happening ashore. 
 
 After what seemed a very long while, during which 
 he cast furtive glances around, almost expecting that 
 those who had attacked Zenas would suddenly appear 
 to demand that he send one of the boats ashore, Paul 
 fancied it was possible to see four or five men carrying 
 a burden in the direction of the wireless station, and 
 all the old terror came back to him, for it was as if he 
 had been forsaken.
 
 186 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 As a matter of fact, he had dimly seen the forms of 
 Sam and Ernest as they carried the apparently lifeless 
 body of Zenas to the shanty in accordance with Mr. 
 Simpson's orders, and were followed by Paul's father 
 only, Daniel Downs having beat a retreat to his own 
 home, muttering again and again as he went, that "this 
 business was none of his." 
 
 "It will be credited to you until the guilty parties are 
 run down," Mr. Simpson called after him, and Paul 
 could hear the words distinctly. "If there appears any 
 intention on the part of you or your sons to disobey 
 my orders from this time on, I will summon the offi- 
 cers of the law from Seaview to take you into custody 
 on the charge of murder !" 
 
 It was that word "murder" which caused Paul to 
 cower in the cockpit of the Hampton boat, as with 
 white and quivering lips he muttered : 
 
 "If this is the cost of silver fox farming, it is better 
 that father gives over trying to raise them, for all the 
 animals that ever went on four legs, no matter what 
 price their pelts may bring, are not worth the life of 
 Zenas Gushing."
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 THE VICTIM 
 
 BELIEVING Zenas Gushing had been killed, knowing 
 that the two men who had escaped from the Downs's 
 house were somewhere on the island eager to reach 
 the mainland, and willing, as had already been shown, 
 to fight for their liberty, it is little wonder that Paul 
 crouched in the cockpit of the Hampton boat trembling 
 with fear while expecting, without quite understanding 
 how it might be done, that those whom Daniel Downs 
 had harbored would speedily make an attack upon him. 
 
 But greater than the fear as to his own safety, was 
 the anxiety concerning his father. He was alone on the 
 island, one against five, if so be the Downs family and 
 their late guests united forces, and all these men had 
 good reason to fear what might come to them if Mr. 
 Simpson was free to work his will. 
 
 They had been bold enough, these enemies, to strike 
 down Zenas Gushing when they found him spying 
 upon them, and, therefore, so Paul asked himself, why 
 would they not muster courage to put his father be- 
 yond all power of inflicting punishment upon them ? 
 
 The lad strained his eyes into the gloom in the vain 
 effort to make out what might be happening ashore; 
 his ears were open for the lightest sound other than the 
 moaning of the surf, the soft lip-lip-lipping of the 
 water on the shore of the cove, and the murmur of the 
 light breeze. 
 
 187
 
 i88 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 Nothing betokening movement on the land could be 
 seen or heard. It was as if Barren island had suddenly 
 become a little world by itself, so far away and so inac- 
 cessible that Paul could never hope to reach it again. 
 Then, in another instant, it was as if the island lay all 
 too near him; as if those two men who had, perhaps, 
 murdered Zenas Gushing, might be able to step from 
 the beach to the Hampton boat before he could raise a 
 hand in his own defence. 
 
 Thus suffering the mental agony which comes to 
 one who has been abandoned, and again the fear that 
 might beset him who momentarily expects to be en- 
 gaged in deadly encounter, Paul spent in suspense mo- 
 ment after moment how many he could not have 
 said. 
 
 It might have been half an hour from the time he 
 saw that shadowy procession bearing Zenas Gushing 
 toward the wireless station, or it may have been ten 
 times as long, so far as he had any idea, when the lad 
 became aware that some one was approaching the 
 shore hurriedly, and as if having no care whether his 
 approach was discovered. 
 
 In Paul's mind there was no thought other than 
 that this was an enemy coming to take possession 
 of the boats, intending to use whatsoever force might 
 be necessary in order to gain his object, and in his 
 nervous fear, perhaps having in mind that "to be fore- 
 warned is forearmed," he cried sharply: 
 
 "Who's there?" 
 
 "Don't be afraid, Paul. Come ashore in the Downs 
 dory."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 189 
 
 It was his father's voice, and with difficulty did the 
 lad restrain himself from crying aloud because of his 
 great joy and relief of mind. 
 
 In a twinkling he was rowing toward the shore, and 
 never before had he known a boat to hang back un- 
 der the impetus of the oars as did this one. To him 
 she seemed hardly to move through the water when, 
 as a matter of fact, the old craft was dashing onward 
 swiftly, and as her bow struck the beach Paul leaped 
 over the rail knee-deep into the water, so great was his 
 eagerness to feel the touch of his father's hand to be 
 encircled by his protecting arms. 
 
 "It must have been a long, trying hour for you," 
 Mr. Simpson said as he embraced his son eagerly, 
 much as though the lad had passed through some dire 
 peril. 
 
 "Has it only been an hour, father?" 
 
 "Not quite as long; but I can well fancy how slowly 
 the moments passed." 
 
 "And Zenas is really " 
 
 Paul could not force himself to utter that ominous 
 word; but his father finished the sentence in a cheery 
 tone: 
 
 "He is really alive, my boy, and not injured so 
 severely as we had at first reason to believe. He 
 evidently received a heavy blow on the head; but 
 whether through the accident of falling upon the tim- 
 bers, or of being crushed beneath them, or again, if 
 one of those men whom we are striving to capture de- 
 liberately struck him down, cannot yet be told, for the 
 poor fellow has not really recovered consciousness. I
 
 190 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 am of the belief, however, that he is not permanently 
 disabled." 
 
 "How did you dare to leave him?" 
 
 "The two Downs boys are in the shanty, and so 
 thoroughly terrified as to be incapable of doing any 
 mischief. In fact, I have forced them to remain with 
 him, not intending they shall have speech with their 
 father, or with those men who have been hiding in the 
 dwelling, until I can be present to hear what is said. 
 At this moment they are locked in the station, caring 
 for Zenas." 
 
 "But they may do him a harm," Paul cried, all his 
 terror reviving, and his father said soothingly : 
 
 "There is little fear of their trying to work further 
 trouble. The attempt to steal the foxes, in which they 
 undoubtedly had a share, has assumed such fearsome 
 proportions as to terrify them. The question now is 
 for us to so arrange matters that we may be very near 
 each other, and yet guard the boats, which cannot be 
 brought about while they remain here in this cove. Be- 
 sides, you will be needed in the shanty when the time 
 comes to communicate with Seaview." 
 
 "What can be done?" Paul asked helplessly when 
 his father ceased speaking for an instant, and Mr. 
 Simpson continued as if plans for the immediate future 
 were fully mapped out in his mind. "It is nearly high 
 water, and as I understand from what Mr. Downs 
 has said, a craft even as large as the Hampton dory 
 may be run into Swallow-Tailed cove without danger 
 at such a time." 
 
 "But she cannot be got out again after the tide has
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM IQI 
 
 ebbed an hour," Paul interrupted. "Sam Downs told 
 me he wouldn't dare attempt to pull a dory in there ex- 
 cept on the height of the tide." 
 
 "So much the better for our purpose, and now the 
 question is whether you can pilot her into the cove, 
 towing the motor dory and Mr. Downs's craft?" 
 
 "I believe I can, sir; but how much better off are we 
 then?" 
 
 "If Sam Downs is correct in his statement that even 
 a small boat cannot be taken out of there except at high 
 water, it will only be necessary for us to stand guard 
 over the craft two hours in every twelve, which will be 
 a decided improvement over matters as they are at 
 present. The motor boats can be moored where they 
 may be come at only by swimming, and you and I 
 should be able to haul the Downs dory so far inland 
 that she will remain in full view of whoever may be in 
 the shanty. If you are willing to make the venture, and 
 I would not propose it believing any danger might 
 threaten in the work, it is time you set about it, for it 
 must be nearly high water now." 
 
 "Shall you go back to the shanty, sir?" Paul asked in 
 a tremulous tone as he began pushing the boat off 
 into deeper water preparatory to scrambling aboard. 
 
 "I will make sure that the Downs boys have not re- 
 covered from their fears sufficiently to leave the station, 
 and be at the head of Swallow-Tailed cove when you 
 arrive." 
 
 By this time Paul was pulling away from the beach 
 toward the Hampton dory, and Mr. Simpson remained 
 on the shore only long enough to see that his son
 
 192 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 was safely aboard the largest craft, after which Paul 
 understood by the noise that he was retracing his 
 steps. 
 
 Under ordinary circumstances Paul would have 
 looked upon this task as a simple one, for he had, dur- 
 ing the week when he and Ned were building the 
 shanty, taken note of the entrance to Swallow-Tailed 
 cove many a time until he remembered the location of 
 every rock which guarded the entrance, and there 
 would have been no doubt in his mind as to the possi- 
 bility of running in with even a larger craft than the 
 Hampton boat. 
 
 Now, however, with the idea in his mind that ene 
 mies, who would not hesitate to commit a murderous 
 assault, were lurking on either shore of the cove, he 
 trembled with anxiety and fear until it seemed almost 
 impossible he could raise the anchor. 
 
 And when that had finally been done, and with rea- 
 sonable alacrity, although to Paul it was as if he 
 should never succeed in getting the heavy weight 
 aboard, he fumbled at the crank like one who sets about 
 such a task for the first time. He cast many a hurried 
 glance toward the shore on either side, fearing to see 
 those men who had escaped from their hiding place in 
 the farm-house, come out to make an attack upon him, 
 although how that might have been done he could not 
 explain. 
 
 When, however, the Hampton boat was finally un- 
 der way and he could feel beneath him the vigorous 
 thrust of the screw as it forced the craft swiftly ahead, 
 his courage revived once more because of the sense of
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 193 
 
 freedom which came with each stroke of the powerful 
 motor. 
 
 The night was not dark ; by the light of the stars he 
 could see clearly the shore on either hand, and once out 
 of the cove the journey around to the northern end of 
 the island was a short one. 
 
 Standing well off from the land in order that he 
 might make a wide turn, he headed the boat directly 
 in toward that point where he could see his father's 
 form outlined dimly in the gloom, and slowing down 
 to half speed as he entered the dangerous channel, he 
 came to anchor when he was as nearly as could be in 
 the center of the small harbor. 
 
 The old dory was left moored alongside the Hamp- 
 ton boat, and in Mr. Downs's well-worn craft Paul 
 pulled ashore, after which he and his father, by dint of 
 severe exertions, succeeded in hauling her a full hun- 
 dred feet beyond high-water mark in the direction of 
 the station. 
 
 "It will be impossible for any two men to launch her 
 without our hearing them," Mr. Simpson said, speak- 
 ing for the first time since his son had come ashore. 
 "We will go to the shanty now, and remember that it 
 is my purpose to keep Sam and Ernest away from their 
 father during the night. Therefore, in case you see 
 either of them attempting to go toward the farm-house, 
 you must give an alarm." 
 
 "Can Zenas tell anything about what happened, 
 sir?" 
 
 "So far I have made no attempt at questioning him. 
 He appears to be conscious, but does not speak. Medi-
 
 194 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 cal attendance is necessary, and if you can communi- 
 cate with Ned Bartlett, tell him to send a physician at 
 once." 
 
 All this Mr. Simpson said while he and his son were 
 walking toward the shanty, and then, taking a key 
 from his pocket, he unlocked the door of the rude build- 
 ing, thus revealing the interior, where could be seen 
 Zenas laying upon the bed with wide-open eyes star- 
 ing at the roof, while crouching against the wall op- 
 posite the bunk were Sam and Ernest, silent and 
 motionless, apparently so terrified as to be almost help- 
 less. 
 
 Indeed there was good reason for their terror, if all 
 that Mr. Simpson and Paul suspected were true. The 
 boys, as well as their father, had had a hand in bring- 
 ing to the island the two strangers, and in keeping 
 them concealed. If Zenas had been stricken down by 
 one of these fellows who was making his way from the 
 house to gain the shelter of the woods, then would the 
 entire Downs family be involved, so far as the officers 
 of the law might look at it, in the assault. In case it 
 proved fatal, the results must be very serious for all 
 concerned. 
 
 Paul stepped directly to the side of the bunk, and, 
 taking Zenas' hands in his, asked softly : 
 
 "Do you know me, old man?" 
 
 The only reply was a mild pressure of the fingers, 
 and a movement of the eyes as they rested for an in- 
 stant upon the lad. 
 
 "Has he spoken since I went out?" Mr. Simpson 
 asked of the Downs boys, and Sam replied:
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 195 
 
 "He has stayed jest that way ever since we've been 
 here." 
 
 The manager of Silver Fox Farm was at a loss to 
 know what should be done for the sufferer. Zenas did 
 not appear to be in any pain, and yet it seemed positive 
 the injury was severe, otherwise he would have made 
 an effort to explain how it had been inflicted. Noth- 
 ing might be done, however, until medical aid arrived 
 from the mainland, and many hours must elapse, even 
 under the most favorable circumstances, before a physi- 
 cian could come. 
 
 "Can we go home?" Ernest asked when Paul had 
 turned aside from the semi-conscious man to set the ap- 
 paratus in readiness for use, that he might begin calling 
 Ned at the earliest moment there was any possibility 
 of his being in the Seaview station. 
 
 "You are to remain here until daylight," was Mr. 
 Simpson's reply. 
 
 "What's the reason we can't go to bed?" 
 
 "Because I intend that the first interview with your 
 father shall be in my presence." 
 
 At that moment the door was opened timidly, as if 
 he who stood on the outside was uncertain what might 
 be his reception, and looking around wonderingly, Paul 
 saw Farmer Downs, pale, trembling, and evidently in 
 as high a state of fear as were his sons. 
 
 "Well, what do you want?" Mr. Simpson asked in 
 a tone of anger, and Daniel Downs replied in a quaver- 
 ing voice: 
 
 "I've come to see why the boys ain't at home, or 
 standin' watch 'cordin' to the bargain we made."
 
 196 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "I have kept them here because of not being willing 
 you and they should get alone together and concoct a 
 story concerning this night's work." 
 
 "What story have we got to tell?" Mr. Downs asked 
 whiningly. "We didn't see anythin' more'n you did. 
 Zenas Gushing must have been foolin' 'round the tim- 
 bers of the old buildin', and fell in among them, pullin' 
 one down on his head, I reckon." 
 
 "That's the way you have decided to explain it, eh?" 
 and Paul's father stood directly in front of Farmer 
 Downs so that he might not signal to the boys with 
 his eyes. 
 
 "That's all there is to be told. I was in the house, 
 an' Sam an' Ernest out on watch when the thing must 
 have been done." 
 
 "I admit you were inside ; but what about those who 
 remained concealed in your attic since day before yes- 
 terday?" 
 
 "Who do you mean?" and now Mr. Downs tried un- 
 successfully to appear both surprised and innocent ; but 
 Paul took note that his face grew a shade more pale, 
 if indeed that could be possible, and his lips trembled 
 as do those of one who is afflicted with palsy. 
 
 "Now, Daniel Downs, don't attempt to play the in- 
 nocent with me, for I know very much more than you 
 think," Mr. Simpson began sternly, forcing the old 
 farmer to look directly at him. "In the first place, 
 Zenas, Paul and I saw the schooner come into the cove, 
 and were on watch under your upturned dory when 
 three men came ashore. Paul and .1 followed them, 
 leaving Zenas on guard at the cove. The lad and I
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 197 
 
 stood in your woodshed immediately after the three 
 entered the house, and a few moments later saw one 
 of them come out and go toward the shore. Zenas was 
 on the alert when this fellow pulled off to the schooner, 
 after which she was gotten under way at once. The 
 next morning she put into Seaview, having lost 
 her topmast during the night, and there is where 
 your plans for working me an injury have gone 
 awry." 
 
 "I haven't had any plan to do you harm," Mr. 
 Downs cried, and Mr. Simpson replied with yet more 
 of sternness in his tones : 
 
 "It is useless to make denials, for I am thoroughly 
 conversant with all that has happened. I can even 
 give you an outline of the plan. It was your pur- 
 pose, and the purpose of those who visited you, that 
 they remain hiding in the attic over the kitchen until 
 nightfall, when they were to make their way into the 
 woods, and, during the following day, endeavor to get 
 hold of the foxes. The schooner was to return that 
 night, heaving to somewhere off the coast, if her cap- 
 tain did not dare to sail directly into the cove, and take 
 off these men with their plunder. The loss of the top- 
 mast prevented the craft from returning according to 
 agreement, and I kept the men in their hiding place by 
 pretending to be sick. This afternoon I concluded it 
 was time to let them show their hands, and we three 
 were on watch, Zenas amid the ruins of the building 
 a short distance from the woodshed. Paul and I failed 
 to see the skulkers, but this poor fellow must have con- 
 fronted them as they went out of the house screened
 
 198 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 by your wife, who professed to be wanting fuel, and 
 they struck him down as you have seen." 
 
 "How can you accuse me, Mr. Simpson, of havin' 
 anythin' to do with such a thing as that, when I stayed 
 right in the house from the time you went out till Zenas 
 Gushing was found?" 
 
 "I am not charging that you had an active hand in 
 it, Daniel Downs; but you were concerned in the en- 
 tire plot, and remaining indoors during the time the 
 assault was made doesn't relieve you of guilt in the 
 matter. Unless you had consented to aid those who 
 would steal the foxes, they could not have remained 
 hidden in your house. If you had been an honest man, 
 you would have reported to me immediately they came, 
 telling what was on foot. Instead of which you did all 
 within your power to keep them concealed, and your 
 wife aided in their effort to leave the dwelling to take 
 refuge in the thicket. It was a scurvy piece of business, 
 Daniel Downs, and from many a point of view a de- 
 cided mistake on your part, since if it had been possible 
 for them to gather in the six foxes, they would have re- 
 ceived a comparatively small amount of money for the 
 pelts, because furs taken during the summer season are 
 of little value, and all that could be gained by the trans- 
 action must have been divided among the crew of the 
 schooner and yourself. In other words, you stood 
 ready to sell me, who would have paid you and your 
 sons good wages during three, four or five years, for 
 the paltry share that would be yours if the venture was 
 a success, and there were many chances that your con- 
 federates couldn't secure even a single animal."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 199 
 
 Mr. Downs made no reply. He stood with downcast 
 eyes the picture of guilt, as Paul believed, and while 
 one might have counted twenty no sound save the 
 heavy breathing of the poachers' victim could be 
 heard. 
 
 Then the farmer asked humbly, and in a voice so 
 tremulous that it was only with difficulty the words 
 could be understood : 
 
 "What are you goin' to do with me?" 
 
 "That's a question which is troubling me not a lit- 
 tle," Mr. Simpson replied. "In the first place, we must 
 learn how severely Zenas is injured, and to that end a 
 physician will be sent for as soon as the wireless sta- 
 tion at Seaview is in working order. I have done what 
 I might to prevent those friends of yours, who are in 
 the woods, from leaving the island, and shall take yet 
 more vigorous measures. At the present I am inclined 
 to send word to the sheriff, asking him to come here 
 with a posse of men to capture those who may soon be 
 charged with murder. However, that question cannot 
 be decided until we know how seriously Zenas is hurt." 
 
 "Surely you won't be hard on an old man who has 
 tried to live up to the bargain he made " 
 
 "Don't attempt to use any such arguments as that, 
 Daniel Downs," Paul's father cried sharply. "From 
 the very first you and your sons have neglected your 
 duty, and were seemingly careless whether my instruc- 
 tions were carried out to the letter or not. Finally you 
 joined with the villains who are in hiding, to wreck my 
 venture in foxes." 
 
 "I didn't really know what I was doin', Mr. Simp-
 
 200 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 son, indeed I didn't," Mr. Downs wailed, and Sam 
 added in a sniveling tone : 
 
 "Father couldn't help takin' in John Ed Bingham 
 when he came to the house that night, else he would 
 have stood a chance of gettin' himself into terrible 
 trouble." 
 
 "Then that notorious old smuggler is one of the two 
 who are hiding in the thicket?" Mr. Simpson cried, 
 and Farmer Downs nodded his head feebly. 
 
 A low moan from Zenas caused Mr. Simpson to step 
 quickly to the side of the bunk, when the injured man 
 asked in a fairly steady voice for water. 
 
 There was in the shanty only the small quantity re- 
 maining from what Paul had brought in the morning, 
 and not willing to give the sick man water which had 
 been drawn so long, Mr. Simpson said to Sam: 
 
 "Go to your home, and fill that pail from the well. 
 Come back as quickly as possible, and see to it that you 
 do not hold converse with any person." 
 
 Sam hurried out of the building as if overjoyed at 
 the opportunity of escape, even for a few moments, 
 from his angry employer, and Paul leaned over the 
 smuggler's victim to ask: 
 
 "Can't you speak a word, Zenas ?" 
 
 To the lad's great surprise the injured man whis- 
 pered softly: 
 
 "Not while those Downs scoundrels are 'round to 
 hear," and having said this he continued to stare va- 
 cantly at the roof above him. 
 
 Rejoicing at this evidence that he whom they had 
 believed 'to be so dangerously wounded was shamming
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 201 
 
 to a certain extent, Paul beckoned for his father to fol- 
 low him out of the shanty, and having walked so far 
 away that there was no possibility Ernest and Mr. 
 Downs could overhear that which was said, the lad re- 
 peated what had been whispered. 
 
 "I have suspected it," Mr. Simpson said in a tone of 
 relief. "Zenas has looked at me several times in a 
 meaning way when the boys were where they could not 
 see him. I had believed it necessary to keep the lads 
 until morning, for there was no thought in my mind 
 that Downs might come here. Now that we've had an 
 interview with him, and he and his sons have the same 
 as admitted all which we had good reason for suspect- 
 ing, it will not profit us to have them in the station any 
 longer. When Sam comes back with the water I'll 
 send them home." 
 
 Sam returned to the shanty with his pail filled in a 
 shorter time than Paul had believed one could walk to 
 the farm-house, and by so doing proved beyond a 
 peradventure that he was woefully frightened, if not 
 repentant. 
 
 He had had time to realize how much his father, his 
 brother and himself had risked on the chance of getting 
 a few dollars in case John Ed Bingham was successful 
 in capturing and killing the foxes, and if there was 
 anything like sorrow in his heart because of what had 
 been done, it was induced by the knowledge that the 
 trade with the old smuggler was a very one-sided af- 
 fair, where one party had everything to gain and the 
 other everything to lose, even if the venture was carried 
 out beyond their most sanguine expectations.
 
 202 
 
 Paul and his father followed Sam into the shanty, 
 and after a generous draft of water had been given to 
 the pretending invalid, Mr. Simpson turned to face the 
 farmer. 
 
 "Do you know where Bingham and his friend 
 counted on hiding during this coming day?" he asked 
 sternly, and Mr. Downs shook his head vehemently as 
 he replied earnestly: 
 
 "Indeed I don't, sir, indeed I don't. It was only 
 their idee to get out of the house, for it was bitterly hot 
 in the attic over the kitchen; and then again they 
 wanted to be at their work so's everything might be 
 ready when the schooner came back. Nothin' was said 
 about where they'd hide." 
 
 "They counted, however, upon your supplying them 
 with food?" 
 
 "Yes, sir/' Ernest replied promptly. "We were to 
 take provisions up to the spring, where you told us to 
 leave fish for the foxes." 
 
 "And did you carry any there to-night?" 
 
 "No more than would serve for supper." 
 
 Mr. Simpson stood as if in deep thought an instant, 
 and then said, addressing himself to Mr. Downs : 
 
 "I am not making any promises ; but there is a pos- 
 sibility that you may escape just punishment by obey- 
 ing me faithfully from now on." 
 
 "We'll do anythin' you tell us, Mr. Simpson; any- 
 thin* on this blessed earth that you say shall be done." 
 
 "Then here are my orders, and if I find that you are 
 departing from them even in the slightest particular I 
 promise to turn you and your sons over to the officers
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 203 
 
 of the law, not only on the charge of conspiring to 
 steal the foxes, but as aiding and abetting in an at- 
 tempt to commit murder. You may go home ; none of 
 the family are to venture out of doors, save for the 
 purpose of getting wood and water, without my per- 
 mission. When Bingham and his friend come for 
 food, as they unquestionably will by to-morrow noon 
 if you fail to carry anything to the spring in the morn- 
 ing, you are to refuse it, and endeavor, if possible, to 
 let me know of their whereabouts. Not so much as a 
 crust of bread are they to be provided with, and hark 
 you, Daniel Downs, I won't trust to your promises 
 again, for you have shown me how worthless they may 
 be ; but I count on keeping watch, and if I know of your 
 holding communication in any way with those fellows 
 who are now in the woods, or of your providing them 
 with the smallest morsel of food, charges will be pre- 
 ferred against you. Remember, we can summon the 
 sheriff by wireless, and have him here within two 
 hours. Therefore you will be acting the part of a wiser 
 man than you have yet shown yourself to be, if you live 
 up strictly to my instructions." 
 
 Then Mr. Downs and his two sons made noisy prom- 
 ises, as if thinking that by loud speaking they could 
 the better convince the hearers of their intended hon- 
 esty, and after each had solemnly sworn to obey to the 
 letter all the commands that had been given, and to do 
 whatsoever should be required of him in the future, 
 Mr. Simpson, still speaking in an angry tone, said : 
 
 "Very well. You may gfo to your home, and there 
 you will tell your wife what has been said in this
 
 204 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 shanty. Make her understand exactly what will hap- 
 pen if I see any of you out of doors save for the pur- 
 pose of getting wood or water. She is to provide the 
 meals as usual, and " 
 
 "We shall go on short allowance if some of us don't 
 catch fish." 
 
 "I will provide you with provisions until such time 
 as it pleases me to let you roam about the island at will. 
 Now go, and remember." 
 
 Mr. Simpson watched from the door of the shanty 
 until the forms of the farmer and his sons were lost to 
 view in the gloom, and then, turning toward the pre- 
 tended invalid, he said: 
 
 "Now then, Zenas, how badly are you hurt?" 
 
 In an instant the smuggler's victim was sitting up- 
 right, his legs hanging over the edge of the bunk, as 
 he replied in a cheery tone: 
 
 "I can't say that I've come out of it in first-class 
 shape, Mr. Simpson; but I am allowin' the worst is 
 over. That scoundrelly John Ed did hit me a tidy clip 
 on the head for a fact, an' I didn't get much of an idea 
 of what might be goin' on till about the time when you 
 began to bring me up here. Then I reckon the shakin' 
 kind'er brought me around; but I allowed it was best 
 to hold off as if I'd been knocked completely out until 
 such time as you could settle matters. An' that's what 
 I was trying' to make you understand when I got 
 the chance to look your way without bein' seen, 
 sir." 
 
 "Are you feeling fairly well now?" 
 
 "Well, my head is buzzin' like a top, an' there's a
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 205 
 
 misery in it that pulls out a groan now an' then; but 
 it'll be all right by daylight, I reckon." 
 
 "Tell us how it happened." 
 
 "That won't be much of a story, 'cause it was all 
 over so quickly I didn't get time to move around very 
 lively. I hid among the timbers all right, 'cordin' as 
 had been agreed upon, an' had a first-class chance for 
 seein' if anybody came from the house. When the old 
 woman slipped out to the shed, with John Ed an' an- 
 other man crouchin' close by her side so's they couldn't 
 be seen by you who was layin' on the grass 'twixt the 
 cove an' the house, I had a full view of 'em. They 
 came straight toward me, an' somehow I got it into my 
 mind that that villain of a smuggler knew where I was. 
 Up I jumps when they was less than six feet from me, 
 an' I could see that it give 'em quite a jolt, 'cause they 
 wasn't expecting to find any one among that 'ere lum- 
 ber. What it was John Ed had in his hand I can't 
 make out, an' I've been puzzlin' over it all the while 
 I've been layin' here pretendin' to be used up. Quick- 
 er'n a flash he give me a clip with something that sent 
 the stars shootin' out of my eyes, an' I must have gone 
 down like a log. That's all I know about it, sir, until 
 I came to my senses while them Downs boys was lug- 
 gin' me here."
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 A CONFESSION 
 
 IF Zenas had been allowed to follow his own in- 
 clinations he would have gone out at once to do guard 
 duty, for now that the Downs family were the same 
 as imprisoned in their home, it was absolutely neces- 
 sary even a stricter watch than before should be kept 
 in order to prevent the men who were hiding in the 
 thicket from escaping. 
 
 "I believe it will be better for you to continue to 
 play the invalid a few hours longer," Mr. Simpson said 
 when the proposition was made by Zenas. "While 
 Daniel Downs and his sons believe you to be on the 
 verge of death it will be easier to hold them in at 
 least partial subjection. With the boats in the cove 
 where we can keep them under our eyes, I fail to see 
 how that old reprobate and his friend will be able to 
 make their escape. Stay snugly here, Zenas, getting 
 into the bunk in case you hear any of the Downs fam- 
 ily approaching, although I do not fancy there is much 
 chance they will venture out very soon, and keep the 
 door open so that you may have a view of the cove. 
 Paul and I will make the circuit of the island, return- 
 ing here before it is time for him to communicate with 
 Seaview." 
 
 "Have a care of yourself, Mr. Simpson," Zenas said 
 warningly. "John Ed Bingham won't hesitate at 
 doin' anythin' whatsoever, if it appears to him that he's 
 
 206
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 207 
 
 likely to be taken prisoner, an' of that we've already 
 had good proof." 
 
 "Don't fear for us," Paul's father replied carelessly. 
 "I am not anticipating any serious trouble with Bing- 
 ham ; but if it should so chance that we meet, you may 
 be certain he won't have an opportunity to deal me 
 such a blow as he did you." 
 
 Then, beckoning for his son to follow, Mr. Simpson 
 went out into the night, directing his steps first toward 
 the northerly point of the cove in front of the farm- 
 house, and. skirting the entire shore, continuing on to 
 the southerly end of the island, although knowing it 
 was well-nigh impossible even for a dory to effect a 
 landing there. 
 
 "Don't you count on trying to see the foxes pretty 
 soon, father?" Paul asked when they were come to 
 the easterly side of the thicket without having seen 
 any signs of the two men. 
 
 "It is enough for me that the animals are here. 
 Foxes don't take kindly to water, you know, therefore 
 there is no danger of their swimming away, and the 
 less they are disturbed the better it will be for our 
 scheme." 
 
 "John Ed Bingham will most likely stir them up a 
 good deal," Paul suggested. 
 
 "I'm not afraid of what he may do immediately. 
 Certain it is he won't have an opportunity of disturb- 
 ing them this night, and his first thought in the rporn- 
 ing will be to procure more food. When he finds that 
 Mr. Downs refuses to supply him, or, in other words, 
 that we have succeeded in frightening the old fellow
 
 208 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 most thoroughly, John Ed Bingham will, unless he is 
 more foolish than I have ever supposed him to be, 
 hatch some scheme for getting away from the island. 
 Therefore it is that I shall not be seriously alarmed re- 
 garding the animals during the next four and twenty 
 hours." 
 
 "And then you count on capturing the men?" 
 
 "I shall put forth every effort to that end, because 
 it is in the highest degree necessary, if we are to con- 
 tinue the work of raising foxes, that those who first at- 
 tempted to do us an injury be made to suffer all the 
 penalties of the law that can be inflicted." 
 
 "Do you believe that we three can make prisoners of 
 those two men?" Paul asked doubtfully, and his father 
 replied with a laugh : 
 
 "I am of the belief that we can once their hunger has 
 become serious; therefore, nearly everything depends 
 upon keeping Daniel Downs and his family strictly 
 to our programme. If they should play false a second 
 time, Bingham and his friend might succeed in out- 
 witting us." 
 
 "And you have every reason to believe they will 
 play you false, sir, because of their fear of John Ed 
 Bingham." 
 
 "I am reckoning their fear of the law will outweigh 
 that old smuggler's influence; yet at the same time I 
 do not intend to give them the chance for treachery. As 
 soon as day dawns the chief portion of our work will be 
 to make certain the entire family remains within doors." 
 
 Then Mr. Simpson quickened his pace, as if in haste 
 to arrive at the wireless station, and Paul followed at
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 209 
 
 his heels, doubting much whether his father would be 
 able to carry out the proposed plan unless assistance 
 was summoned from the mainland. 
 
 During the walk around the island no signs of the 
 two men who were in hiding had been seen, nor was 
 there anything on the shore which might aid them in 
 escaping, save at Swallow-Tailed cove, where it surely 
 seemed that whoever remained at the station could 
 guard the boats securely. 
 
 Zenas was in the bunk, his eyes wide open and star- 
 ing at the ceiling when Paul and his father entered, and 
 immediately afterward he sprang to his feet with that 
 purring laughter of his, as he said in a low tone: 
 
 "I wasn't quite sure but that the old man Downs 
 might have taken it into his head to come over here, 
 an' you should have seen me scramble to get into the 
 proper position for a man whose life has been about 
 half beaten out of him. Did you see or hear anythin' ?" 
 
 "I didn't expect we would come across the worthy 
 Mr. Bingham, but made the circuit of the island more 
 for the purpose of assuring myself there were no means 
 by which he could get away, save here at the cove," 
 Mr. Simpson replied as he seated himself in Paul's 
 chair with the air of one who is weary to the verge 
 of exhaustion. 
 
 "And everythin' seems to be pretty nigh straight, 
 does it, sir?" 
 
 "So far as can be told in the darkness. Our chief 
 concern just now is to make certain that neither Mr. 
 Downs nor any member of his family provides the two 
 men with food."
 
 2io THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "That same thing was runnin' through my mind 
 while you were away," Zenas said thoughtfully and 
 with an expression of anxiety on his face. "It strikes 
 me if I am to stay cooped up in this 'ere shanty to-mor- 
 row in order to make out that I'm mighty nigh dead, 
 there's nothin' to prevent my doin' some work to-night, 
 so's you two can get a little sleep. I don't reckon 
 you're allowin' it will be possible to keep awake more 
 than four an' twenty hours on a stretch." 
 
 "We shall need to gain some rest soon ; but it seems 
 to me better that you be kept out of sight for a time, 
 because of the hold we shall thereby have on Daniel 
 Downs and his sons." 
 
 "I'll agree with you in that, sir," Zenas replied heart- 
 ily ; "but what's to hinder my playin' watchman while 
 it's dark? I'll circle 'round the house, keepin' this 'ere 
 cove in sight so long's the tide's high enough for 'em 
 to get a boat out, an' they never'll be any the wiser as 
 to who I am. Believin' I'm knocked out of time, 
 they'll naturally suppose, seem' somebody 'round the 
 farm-house, that it's one of you, an' there'll be no 
 harm done to the scheme/' 
 
 "It's a good idea, Zenas," Mr. Simpson said after 
 a moment's thought. "Paul and I will gather in 
 what sleep may be possible between now and daybreak. 
 You are to waken us as soon as the night grows 
 gray." 
 
 Then the owner of Silver Fox Farm laid himself 
 down on the bed just vacated by Zenas, and Paul nes- 
 tled close by his side,' as indeed was necessary if two 
 occupied that narrow resting place.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 211 
 
 Zenas went about his duty of standing guard, deter- 
 mined that no member of the Downs family should 
 leave the farm-house without his knowledge, and pre- 
 paring himself for a possible encounter with John Ed 
 Bingham by cutting from a clump of saplings a stout 
 stick, which would serve either as cane or cudgel as 
 might be desired. 
 
 It seemed to Paul as if he had but just fallen asleep 
 when the watchman awakened him and his father with 
 the information that day was breaking. 
 
 Mr. Simpson was on his feet in an instant, under- 
 standing that now was come the time when the smug- 
 gler and his friend might attempt to approach the 
 farm-house in order to lay plans for the future with 
 Mr. Downs, and he asked hurriedly : 
 
 "Have you kept watch over the house?" 
 
 "Ay, that I have," Zenas replied in a tone of satis- 
 faction. "I'll answer for it that even a cat couldn't 
 have gone in or out without my knowin' it. You see, 
 as soon as the tide was about half-ebb there was no 
 need of keepin' an eye on the cove, so I moved 'round 
 the buildin's all the time, wishin' for my own satis- 
 faction that that scoundrel of a John Ed Bingham 
 might show himself. I'm allowin' if he an' I ever do 
 come together agin there'll be little need for you to 
 worry about what he can do afterward." 
 
 "You are to stay here, pretending to be unconscious 
 if any one comes. Paul is to follow me, and one or the 
 other of us will return with something in the way of 
 breakfast for you." 
 
 "Don't put yourself out too much about that part of
 
 212 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 it, so far's I'm concerned, 'cause while things are as 
 they are on this blessed island, I can get along on 
 mighty short allowance rather than have you take any 
 chances." 
 
 "You shan't starve/' Mr. Simpson replied laugh- 
 ingly, and when Paul had followed him out of the 
 shanty he said in a low tone, "If I could find two or 
 three men as ready to guard my interests as is Zenas 
 Gushing, there would be no fear in my mind whatso- 
 ever but that Silver Fox Farm might be made to pay 
 large returns on the investment." 
 
 "It should be possible to do so, sir." 
 
 "Yes, save that just now I am tied down to the isl- 
 and and cannot make other arrangements. It was un- 
 fortunate that I had so much confidence in Daniel 
 Downs." 
 
 "But he may turn around from this out, and do ex- 
 actly as you would have him, now he has learned that 
 you are not to be trifled with." 
 
 "That is true, my boy; but yet I shall always be 
 suspicious regarding his integrity. When a man or a 
 boy does one wrong act he has destroyed the confidence 
 of others, no matter how repentant he may be after- 
 ward." 
 
 When the two were come within a short distance of 
 the farm-house, smoke could be seen rising from the 
 chimney, although it was as yet hardly light, and Paul 
 said as he pointed toward it : 
 
 "I am thinking Mr. Downs didn't sleep very well 
 last night, otherwise he wouldn't be stirring so early." 
 
 "A bad conscience doesn't permit of sweet slumber."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 213 
 
 "Do you count on going up to the woods to look for 
 John Ed and his friend, sir?" 
 
 "No; our business is here. You may take station 
 yonder, where Zenas came to grief, and I will move 
 back and forth between the house and the cove." 
 
 "Mr. Downs will see that we are watching him," 
 
 "As to that I have no care. In fact, I prefer he 
 should know we no longer trust him." 
 
 Paul was about to obey by skirting around the shed 
 in order to arrive at the ruins, when Mr. Downs came 
 out of the building looking decidedly woebegone as 
 compared with his appearance of the previous morn- 
 ing. 
 
 "I'm mighty sorry, Mr. Simpson, that you couldn't 
 trust me even over night, an' yet I don't s'pose there is 
 any reason why you should. I heard you trampin' 
 'round here from the time I went to bed till I got up, 
 an' it made my heart ache; that I'm tellin' you for a 
 fact." 
 
 "It has distressed me exceedingly, Daniel," Mr. 
 Simpson said firmly but sternly. "I had implicit confi- 
 dence in you, and yet you betrayed me within twenty- 
 four hours to aid those whom you know have no 
 further regard for you than concerns their own wicked 
 ends." 
 
 "I know all that as well as you can tell me, Mr. 
 Simpson, an' have chewed it over ever since I came 
 into the house," the farmer began contritely. "I don't 
 reckon there's any sense in my tellin' you how sorry I 
 am, because you can't believe me after all that's hap- 
 pened ; but still it does seem as if you might take into
 
 214 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 consideration how I was fixed. If so be you're willin', 
 I'd like to tell the whole story, not 'cause it lets me out 
 in any way, but perhaps you'll think after the tellin' 
 of it that I was more weak than wicked." 
 
 "I am willing to listen to whatever you have to say, 
 Daniel, and fancy that I have already guessed a good 
 portion of it. You allowed yourself to be frightened 
 by John Ed Bingham; that's the way I try to make 
 excuses for you." 
 
 "And it's God's truth, sir ! You know what he is 
 a man who, without showing his hand in it, has allers 
 succeeded in doin' harm to them as crossed his path, 
 an' I'm free to confess that I've been scared to go agin 
 him. I don't believe I'd shown myself sich a coward 
 if we was livin' on the mainland, where other folks 
 are 'round ; but way out here, with no one to lend a 
 hand in case you get into trouble, it seemed like as if 
 I'd got to keep on the good side of John Ed." 
 
 "He came here the night the foxes were brought 
 ashore," Mr. Simpson said as Daniel Downs hesitated 
 an instant. 
 
 "Ay, that he did, an' the lad saw his footprints on 
 the sand." 
 
 "What did he want then?" 
 
 "First an' foremost he was kind'er riled up 'cause 
 your boy wouldn't give him a tow, seein's how he was 
 headed for Barren island; an' then agin he allowed 
 you hadn't the right to stop him from comin' ashore." 
 
 "Was that why he came here in the schooner, and 
 hid in your house?" 
 
 "Oh no, sir. I'm just tellin' you what kind of a
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 215 
 
 temper he was in the night the foxes were brought 
 ashore." 
 
 "What did he want the second time?" 
 
 "I'm obliged to say, sir, as he had come to lay a 
 plan for gettin' hold of them 'ere foxes. He reckoned 
 that after bein' kept in the cages so long they'd be 
 kind'er dazed an' bewildered, so it wouldn't be much 
 of a job to knock 'em over. First off I fought hard 
 agin it; I'd promised faithfully that no one should 
 step foot on this 'ere island save with your permission ; 
 but I couldn't have put John Ed off then, though per- 
 haps it might'er been done later if I'd called the boys 
 an' we'd had a regular scrimmage. But he'd have 
 kept it in for me, an' before the summer went by these 
 'ere buildin's would have been fired, or somethin' terri- 
 ble happened to us. I know John Ed, an' so do you, 
 Mr. Simpson. He's a bad egg, an' somehow or other, 
 I can't explain it even to myself, he's got the knack of 
 makin' it mighty tough for them as don't do 'cordin' 
 to his idees." 
 
 "Well, what about that first visit?" 
 
 "There wasn't much come of it then, sir, indeed 
 there wasn't. I held out agin havin' any finger in the 
 pie, an' tried to show him that even if I was willin', 
 it couldn't be done while Paul was here. So nothin' 
 was really settled that night, except he warned me he'd 
 come agin, an' he says to me, says he, 'Daniel Downs, 
 when next I step foot on Barren island it'll be after 
 them 'ere foxes, an' if you refuse to do what I call on 
 you for, you'll get a taste of how John Ed Bingham 
 pays off his debts.' I was scared, an' so was mother;
 
 216 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 we allowed he could come mighty near serv.in' out hot 
 dishes for us if we went agin his orders ; but I hoped 
 he wouldn't show up." 
 
 "Then he came in the schooner?" Mr. Simpson 
 said questioningly. 
 
 ''Yes, sir; an' as to that time I reckon you know 
 pretty nigh as much as I. He an' another man walked 
 into my house when I wasn't any more expectin' to see 
 'em than I was to have a visit from the angel Gabriel. 
 They allowed to stay there till daylight, an' then sneak 
 off inter the woods, countin' to get hold of some of the 
 foxes 'twixt sunrise an' sunset. The schooner was 
 comin' back along about nine o'clock the next night." 
 
 "Why wasn't that plan carried out?" 
 
 "I'm allowin' that you're able to answer the ques- 
 tion as well as I can. John Ed is a master hand at 
 snoopin' 'round, an' he suspicioned that some of you 
 was on watch, so he said I'd got to hide him till dark, 
 when he'd manage by hook or by crook to get inter 
 the woods without your knowin' it. But you see all 
 this mixed up the rest of the plan, 'cause he was 
 countin' on the schooner's comin' back that night be- 
 fore he'd had time to make a try for the animiles, so 
 Sam an' Ernest had to be brought into it, an' they're 
 just as scared of John Ed as I am. It was schemed 
 that some time after dark they should put off in the 
 dory to warn the schooner against comin' into the 
 cove, 'cause then we didn't know she'd carried away 
 the topmast an' was laid up for repairs. I tell you, 
 Mr. Simpson, it went agin my grain mightily, an' 
 mother was pretty nigh worried to death about havin'
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 217 
 
 that old scoundrel 'round ; but we couldn't seem to help 
 ourselves. He'd got us into a snarl, an' when I stood 
 out flat-footed an' said I was goin' to you with the 
 whole story, he told me he'd swear that I'd sent word 
 for him to come here. It seemed like I was in a hob- 
 ble that couldn't be got out of anyhow, an' so I went 
 from bad to worse, as a man always does when he 
 starts wrong." 
 
 "You gave those men food last night?" 
 "Not what you might call a hearty supper; jest 
 about enough to keep 'em from bein' downright 
 hungry." 
 
 "Have you seen or heard of them since then?" 
 "No, sir, an' that you ought'er know for yourself, 
 seein's how you've been trampin' 'round here all night. 
 Now that the whole thing has come out, I'm askin' 
 you to give me some kind of a show to prove that I 
 ain't quite so black as you've painted me. We'll stay 
 right here in the house, never so much as showin' our 
 noses out of the doors, so long's you say the word, an' 
 what mother has proposed is this: S'posen you live 
 here it'll be easier than keepin' watch on us from the 
 outside? You've got to come when the meals are 
 ready, an' why not stop where you can see for yourself 
 that the boys, an' mother, an' I are tryin' to do the 
 same as we would have done if John Ed Bingham 
 hadn't come with his threats?" 
 
 "But you weren't disposed at the beginning to keep 
 sharp watch over the foxes. Your sons on the first 
 night believed they could as well crawl into the bushes 
 to sleep, as to walk around."
 
 218 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "Yes, I'm admittin' it, Mr. Simpson ; we did all that, 
 an' yet it shouldn't count so hard agin us. It's been 
 pretty tough for people like us, who don't hear what's 
 goin' on in the world, to believe that any kind of a fox 
 pelt is worth two hundred dollars. I know that's no 
 business of mine; that we agreed to do certain things 
 an' should have done 'em. Now we've kicked our own 
 kettle over, an' the best that can be done is to try an' 
 show we want to take a square turn about." 
 
 Mr. Simpson hesitated, and there was an expression 
 on his face which must have caused Mr. Downs to be- 
 lieve that he did not intend to make a second trial af- 
 ter having been so grossly deceived, for the old man 
 cried imploringly: 
 
 "Come in an' talk it over with mother! It may be 
 she can put it better'n I do; but it's the solemn truth, 
 Mr. Simpson, that the idee of doin' by you as we 
 ought'er is as strong in my mind as God will permit." 
 
 "Very well, Mr. Downs. We'll meet you half-way. 
 When breakfast is ready Paul and I will come in and 
 have a heart-to-heart talk with all the family." 
 
 The farmer tried to give evidence of his gratitude 
 for this partial promise, and struggled so earnestly 
 and vainly to express himself that Paul's father said in 
 a friendly tone: 
 
 "Never mind saying anything about it until we 
 come together after breakfast. If you supplied Bing- 
 ham with only a small amount of food last night, it is 
 likely he will make some attempt to speak with you 
 this morning." 
 
 "That's what I've been thinkin', sir, an' he's more
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 219 
 
 likely to be here before sunrise, when there's a chance 
 you'll be off guard, than after the day has fully come. 
 If I refuse him, as I give you my solemn word I shall, 
 he'll not only threaten all kinds of mischief; but it 
 ain't any two to one I don't get handled as rough as 
 did that man of yours last night." 
 
 "He won't do anything of that kind, Daniel, be- 
 cause one of us will be here all the time, and so far as 
 his threats are concerned you need have little fear. 
 If you and your sons stand by me now, according to 
 the bargain you made, on the strength of my forgetting 
 wfeat has just happened, I'll answer for it that when 
 John Ed Bingham leaves this island it will be in the 
 custody of the sheriff." 
 
 "I'm goin' to do just as you tell me, no matter what 
 the consequences are," the farmer cried in a tone which 
 carried with it the conviction of truth, and added sud- 
 denly, "What about that man of yours? How is 
 he?" 
 
 "Not in as serious a condition as I had feared a few 
 hours ago," Mr. Simpson replied guardedly. "I have 
 great hopes that he will be comparatively well before 
 night; but even though his recovery should be thus 
 speedy, it will not affect the fact that a murderous as- 
 sault was made upon him. Bingham has at last placed 
 himself within reach of the law, and in order for the 
 fellow to be put where you need have no fears concern- 
 ing his threats, we have simply to keep him here on 
 the island until it is our pleasure to send him away. All 
 the boats, including your "own, are in Swallow-Tailed 
 cove, where they can be under the eye of whoever re-
 
 220 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 mains at the wireless station. Therefore, unless he 
 receives aid from you or yours, we have him fast." 
 
 "But the schooner will come back, sir, as soon as 
 she has fitted her topmast." 
 
 "Her coming doesn't imply that he will go away in 
 her. It is for us to make certain he can't." 
 
 Then Mr. Simpson would have walked away, evi- 
 dently with the intention of going to the cove, but that 
 Mr. Downs, holding him by the skirt of his coat, said 
 imploringly : 
 
 "You ain't goin' to leave me now, are you, jest 
 when it's the most certain John Ed will be out here? 
 I ain't countin' on givin' up to him, for I'll have no 
 more truck with that man from this time out; but to 
 tell the truth I'm afraid of him. Nobody knows what 
 he'll do when he gets roused. I'm allowin' he'll be 
 like a ravishin' tiger when I tell him we won't give 
 him anythin' to eat." 
 
 "Don't have any anxiety on that score, Daniel. I'll 
 remain close about here, and if Bingham shows himself 
 you shan't be alone to meet him." 
 
 Again Mr. Downs would have given words to the 
 gratitude in his heart, and again his employer checked 
 him, moving away a few paces to say in a low tone to 
 Paul: 
 
 "You may go back to the station and tell- Zenas all 
 that you have heard. I shall stay here. You are to 
 return for breakfast, and carry back to the shanty 
 enough to satisfy Cushing's wants." 
 
 Then Mr. Simpson went into the house, and Paul 
 made all speed toward the shanty, eager to learn what
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 221 
 
 might be the opinion of Zenas regarding this tardy 
 repentance of the farmer and his family. 
 
 The alleged victim had taken the precaution to as- 
 sume a position of semi-unconsciousness as he heard 
 the lad coming, but roused very suddenly when 
 Paul announced while he flung open the door of the 
 shanty : 
 
 "Daniel Downs is mighty sorry because he let John 
 Ed Bingham lead him astray." 
 
 "Well, he has need to be," was the unsympathetic 
 reply. "Been whinin' to your father, eh?" 
 
 "He has made a clean breast of it, and swears that 
 nothing of the kind shall ever happen again." 
 
 "Oh, he has?" and there was a note of incredulity 
 in Zenas's voice. "When he got tied up so far that 
 he couldn't take another step, he's come down an' says 
 he's willin' to be forgiven, eh? I wonder how long 
 he'd have run that 'ere rig of his if your father hadn't 
 caught him foul, an' in such a way that he couldn't 
 crawl out?" 
 
 "But he really is sorry, Zenas," Paul said seriously. 
 "You should have heard him talk." 
 
 "I've seen how he acted when he thought he had 
 things pretty much his own way, an' that was enough 
 for me," was the curt reply. "I've known of folks 
 who'd turn 'round mighty sorry for their misdoin's 
 after they'd danced their jig to the end, an' I never had 
 any very great faith in 'em. I s'pose Daniel thinks 
 your father believed it all, Jest 'cause he comes up an* 
 whines like a baby, tellin' how John Ed Bingham 
 frightened him into it, an' that he'll be given the care of
 
 222 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 the foxes agin, with us toddlin' off an' say in' it's all 
 right." 
 
 "How did you know he claimed that John Ed fright- 
 ened him into it?" 
 
 "That's about the only story he could tell to clear his 
 own skirts. I don't allow Daniel Downs is any too 
 quick-witted; but will give him credit for makin' up 
 a reasonable kind of a yarn when he starts out. If 
 he'd said he agreed of his own free will to help run off 
 the foxes, why then his talk wouldn't have amounted 
 to very much." 
 
 "But I really believe he means what he says, and 
 that he and his sons will do in the future exactly as 
 they have promised," Paul said emphatically, and 
 Zenas added quite as positively : 
 
 "An* I don't. I wouldn't trust him any further'n 
 across this room. When a man has lied to me once, 
 I don't give him a chance the second time unless I'm 
 willin' to call myself a fool. So your father took down 
 everythin' he said jest like new milk, eh?" 
 
 "I don't know whether he did or not; but he has 
 agreed to stay in the house instead of walking around 
 outside, and it will be a simple matter for him to keep 
 the whole family in view while taking his ease. They 
 are expecting to see Bingham come out now, because 
 he hadn't any more than food enough for supper." 
 
 "Well, they won't see him," Zenas cried, as if he had 
 personal cause for complaint because his employer had 
 listened to Daniel Downs's pitiful story. "John Ed 
 Bingham has kept right along on the edge of the law 
 all his life, spendin' pretty nigh every hour watchin'
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 223 
 
 out lest somebody would get him by the heels, an' I'll 
 be willin' to stand still an' let you give me jest as hard 
 a lick on the head as I got last night, if he shows him- 
 self while your father is in the house." 
 
 "But he must come out when his food is gone," 
 Paul insisted, disappointed because Zenas had not re- 
 ceived the news of the farmer's repentance as thank- 
 fully as it seemed he should have done. 
 
 "John Ed will go hungry a long while before he 
 steps his foot near where your father is waitin', an* 
 if you're puttin' all your faith on starvin' him out, why 
 I'm tellin' you it's a case of leanin' on a mighty slender 
 reed, 'cause that old smuggler knows of more'n one 
 way to skin a cat."
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 A CRY FOR HELP 
 
 PAUL did not believe Zenas was in the right when 
 he predicted that John Ed Bingham was "too old a 
 bird to be caught by chaff," yet it was hardly worth 
 while to argue against it, for within the next twelve 
 hours, unless indeed the old smuggler could bear the 
 pangs of hunger longer than seemed possible, the mat- 
 ter would be definitely settled. 
 
 For his own part the lad felt confident that the tres- 
 passers on Silver Fox Farm would soon be made pris- 
 oners, to be sent to the mainland whenever it suited his 
 father's purpose, and for the time being it appeared 
 as if, now that Mr. Downs and his sons had been 
 brought to see the evil of their ways, there would no 
 longer be any serious impediment to the task of rais- 
 ing foxes, provided, of course, the animals finally came 
 to feel at home on Barren island. 
 
 "I'm to bring you breakfast," he said, thus abruptly 
 changing the conversation, and Zenas asked in sur- 
 prise: 
 
 "What's the meanin' of that? Does your father 
 count on makin' it look as if I was nigh to death a 
 spell longer? 'Cordin' to the way I size it up, he'll be 
 needin' all the help that can be found on this blessed 
 place, an* can't afford to have me loafin' 'round the 
 shanty." 
 
 "His orders were that you should remain under 
 
 224
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 225 
 
 cover a while longer, most likely until he feels more 
 certain that the Downs family are really repentant, and 
 I'm to feed you," Paul replied with a laugh, whereupon 
 Zenas indulged in a gesture of impatience, as if he be- 
 lieved this plan of concealing his real condition to be 
 childish. 
 
 "Of course it ain't for me to say what shall be done 
 here, 'cause your father's the boss ; but I'm bettin' the 
 biggest kind of a big apple that before this day is very 
 much older he'll have need of me outside." 
 
 "Then I allow you'll be cured of all your troubles in 
 a twinkling. Does your head ache this morning?" 
 
 "I'm as chipper as a sparrer, an' keen to do my share 
 toward settin' things to rights on this 'ere island. I'd 
 like to run things jest about an hour, an' if fox farmin' 
 didn't hum before I got through, I'd get you to tell me 
 the reason why." 
 
 "What would you do?" 
 
 "Pack the Downs family off in the old power dory 
 inside of thirty minutes, so's to make certain they 
 didn't have another chance to play any tricks. Then 
 I'd go for that miserable smuggler an' his friend with 
 a shotgun, an' wouldn't be overly careful how I han- 
 dled it." 
 
 "You are too bloodthirsty altogether," Paul cried 
 with a hearty laugh. "Want to get even with John 
 Ed for that blow he gave you, eh ?" 
 
 "Well, it stands to reason I'd like to square matters ; 
 but whether he had ever hit me or not, I'd bring him 
 out of the woods to where he couldn't do the foxes 
 harm, if there was any virtue in powder an' shot."
 
 226 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "Since you are supposed to be lying at the point of 
 death, and because it's my duty to play the part of 
 nurse, so far as feeding you goes, I reckon I may as 
 well go back to the farm-house for breakfast, in order 
 to be ready for business when Ned gets into the Sea- 
 view station." 
 
 Then Paul walked leisurely toward the house, feel- 
 ing wonderfully free from care, since matters had ap- 
 parently been straightened out fairly well, and before 
 he had traversed half the necessary distance the horn 
 was sounded vigorously. 
 
 "Mrs. Downs counts on feeding us promptly, no 
 matter how much of a snarl her husband and sons may 
 have gotten themselves into," the lad said to him- 
 self with a certain sense of satisfaction, for it pleased 
 him to know, as he believed he did, that the mem- 
 bers of the family were doing their best to obey 
 orders. 
 
 Mr. Downs and the boys were unusually silent when 
 Paul drew his chair up to the table with a good appe- 
 tite for the fried pork and fish which Mrs. Downs had 
 prepared in great abundance. Neither Sam nor Ernest 
 had any alleged witty remarks to make in disparage- 
 ment of the wireless station, but seemingly devoted all 
 their attention to the food before them, while Mr. 
 Downs was on the alert for sounds betokening the ap- 
 proach of the men who had been hiding in the woods, 
 and did not appear to be enjoying the morning meal 
 particularly well. 
 
 Mrs. Downs bustled here and there, intent only on 
 feeding the family to the utmost of their several capac-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 227 
 
 ities, she believing that there was no antidote like food 
 for troubles of any kind, while at the same time she 
 was cooking two or three savory messes for the sup- 
 posed invalid at the shanty. 
 
 "It does really seem to me as if Mr. Cushin' 
 ought'er come down here, where he can be comfort- 
 able," she said solicitously when Paul had risen from 
 the table in token that his hunger was satisfied. "Why 
 not speak to him about it? He shall have the spare 
 room, an' I'll do all any mortal woman can to make 
 him feel at home." 
 
 "Perhaps you had better speak to father in regard 
 to it," Paul replied as he went toward the door. "He 
 will come in to breakfast now, and you can talk the 
 matter over." 
 
 Mr. Simpson was standing guard near the wood- 
 shed when Paul came out, and instead of asking any 
 questions he said abruptly: 
 
 "You are to remain here, watching carefully the 
 edge of the woods. At first sight of the men give an 
 alarm at once. I shan't spend many minutes at the 
 table." 
 
 Then Mr. Simpson went into the house, and Paul 
 stood at the post assigned him, scrutinizing closely 
 the line of foliage in front of him ; but seeing nothing 
 to betoken the whereabouts of John Ed and his part- 
 ner in crime. 
 
 Ten minutes later Mr. Simpson came from the 
 farm-house to say hurriedly: 
 
 "Now you may carry Zenas's breakfast to the 
 shanty, and it will be well for you to stay there until
 
 228 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 Ned is ready to open communication with the island. 
 Tell Gushing to keep watch over the boats." 
 
 "What shall I say to Ned when he calls?" 
 
 "Get what information he has to give, and then ask 
 him to wait until you can repeat it to me. I shall re- 
 main here or in the house, where I can have a view of 
 the woods from the window, and all the Downs fam- 
 ily will be with me." 
 
 "Are you thinking of sending to Seaview for help, 
 sir?" 
 
 "I have not yet decided. If we could get our hands 
 on Bingham and the man he has with him, there would 
 be no need, at least, not until it becomes necessary for 
 me to go to the mainland." 
 
 At this point Mrs. Downs interrupted the conversa- 
 tion by announcing that breakfast was ready for "that 
 poor, sick man," and Paul hastened to carry it to the 
 shanty. 
 
 Although Zenas did not approve of having his 
 "meals served in his room," he made a vigorous attack 
 upon the food, while Paul adjusted the wireless ap- 
 paratus for communication with Seaview. 
 
 "Count on findin' your chum 'tendin' to business so 
 soon in the mornin'?" Zenas asked curiously, for it 
 was not yet six o'clock. 
 
 "If Captain Tobi Thompson had anything of im- 
 portance to tell father, Ned will be on hand early ; but 
 under any circumstances he'll be at his station before 
 seven," and Paul began sending out the call, after 
 which he switched on the receiver, with the result that 
 immediately came the reply:
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 229 
 
 "O. K. n-d." 
 
 "Anything new ?" 
 
 "Yes; how is it with you?" 
 
 "We are all right, though we've had a lively night. 
 Will explain when we have more time." 
 
 Then came the message from Ned, which Paul 
 wrote out as it was received, Zenas standing at his 
 shoulder that he might read the words : 
 
 "Captain Thompson says schooner will leave port 
 this forenoon. He believes she is bound for Barren 
 island. Craft hails from Eastport, and one of the crew 
 claims Bingham owns half of her. Tough crowd on 
 board. Captain Thompson advises that you call help 
 from here, else serious trouble may come to the farm." 
 
 "An' yet you allowed John Ed would show himself 
 this mornin' jest 'cause he felt a little hungry !" Zenas 
 muttered as he read the message. "The old villain 
 knows the schooner must put in here mighty soon, an' 
 he's countin' on squarin' matters then." 
 
 Paul gave but little heed to this remark, for he was 
 explaining to Ned that it would be necessary for him 
 to show the message to his father before making reply. 
 
 "I shall stay here as long as you need me; I've got 
 my books, and can put in all the time necessary," the 
 operator at Seaview replied, and Paul hurried away to 
 show his father what he believed to be startling news. 
 
 Mr. Simpson did not appear surprised when he read 
 the words, but remained in thought so long that finally 
 Paul asked impatiently: 
 
 "Are you counting to send for help?" 
 
 "Perhaps that would be the wisest course ; but I am
 
 230 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 eager to capture Bingham myself. Will Ned wait 
 awhile at the station? If so I would like to consider 
 the matter more thoroughly." 
 
 "He promises to stay there as long as you wish." 
 
 "That is good! Tell him I will send word before 
 ten o'clock, and in the meanwhile he is to let you know 
 when the schooner leaves the harbor." 
 
 Paul hurried back to repeat his father's words, and, 
 quite as a matter of course, Zenas was eager to know 
 what had been decided upon. 
 
 "It ain't any two to one that he won't wait till it's 
 too late," Gushing grumbled when the lad told him 
 what had been Mr. Simpson's decision. "He'd be wiser 
 to have the sheriff send over three or four men, an' 
 snake John Ed out of his hidin' place, wherever it may 
 be. As for catchin' that old fox with what crew we've 
 got here, not knowin' how the Downs family may turn, 
 it's all poppycock." 
 
 Paul hardly heard what had been said, so occupied 
 was he in sending word to his friend, as well as in re- 
 ceiving the following message, evidently sent by Ned 
 on his own account. 
 
 "Captain Thompson seemed to think your father 
 would be foolish if he didn't make all possible prepara- 
 tions against the arrival of the schooner. Mansfield's 
 power boat can be hired to take across as many men as 
 may be needed. Shall I ask him to hold her at the 
 pier until your father makes up his mind ?" 
 
 "Better let the whole matter rest as it is for two 
 hours. If you will stay in the station! can call any 
 time before then, if necessary for "
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 231 
 
 The operator was interrupted in the sending of his 
 message by the crackling and snapping of the wires 
 in a manner which caused Zenas to step back in alarm, 
 even as had Sam, and Paul said impatiently, but as if 
 speaking to himself : 
 
 "Now what's gone wrong? That doesn't sound 
 like anything I ever heard when there was trouble." 
 
 He had hardly begun to examine the apparatus 
 when Ned succeeded in clicking off the words : 
 
 "Are you having " 
 
 Again came the crackling, which broke off that series 
 of sound waves coming from the direction of Seaview, 
 or, mingling with them, made a most confusing noise. 
 
 Paul sat helplessly staring at the instrument, be- 
 lieving everything was in good working order, and yet 
 failing to understand why there should be such a con- 
 flict in the air on an almost cloudless morning, with no 
 more than a pleasant summer breeze rippling the 
 waters of the sea. 
 
 "Has the thing got away from you?" Zenas asked 
 curiously, and yet at the same time giving slight evi- 
 dence of alarm. 
 
 "That's what I don't know," Paul replied. "There's 
 no reason why it should not work " 
 
 He ceased speaking suddenly, and quickly adjusted 
 the instrument to longer sound waves. Immediately 
 that was done came with startling distinctness the om- 
 inous letters : "C-d-q, c-d-q, c-d-q." 
 
 "Some one from out to sea is calling us in distress/* 
 he cried, so much surprised, and perhaps bewildered, 
 for an instant as to give no heed to the fact that he
 
 232 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 should answer as soon as might be this appeal for 
 help. "A craft equipped with a wireless apparatus is 
 in trouble." 
 
 "Can't you find out who she is, or where she's 
 layin'?" Zenas cried, growing literally wild with ex- 
 citement. "Do you count on sittin' there like a chump 
 an' lettin' them yell for help?" 
 
 "I declare I had forgotten that there was anything 
 I could do," Paul replied, not yet fully recovered from 
 the maze of bewilderment which had come over him 
 at this the first signal of. danger he had ever caught 
 from the antenna. 
 
 Again the letters were repeated, and it seemed even 
 to Zenas, who knew nothing whatsoever of telegraph- 
 ing, that they sounded ominous, appealing. 
 
 The lad was wholly ignorant of the code used in the 
 maritime service; nor did he stop to consider in what 
 form the reply should be made; but raising the key 
 with tremulous fingers, he clicked off: 
 
 "What's wanted?" Where are you?" 
 
 "This is the yacht Nera, from New York to Mount 
 Desert. Struck a derelict this morning, and in danger 
 of sinking. Who are you?" 
 
 "A station on Barren island, twenty miles eastward 
 from the mainland." 
 
 "Have you any means by which to get to our assist- 
 ance?" 
 
 "A 6-horse Hampton boat; could carry twenty peo- 
 ple, or tow a small craft." 
 
 "Come at once, or, if possible, send a tug from 
 mainland"
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 233 
 
 Even at the expense of valuable time, and not dar- 
 ing to wait sufficiently long to get his father's advice, 
 Paul sent out the words: 
 
 "This station only a small one established to be used 
 with another at Seaview. No steam tug at that place. 
 I haven't power enough to send as far as Portland." 
 
 Paul had written out, as a matter of course, all the 
 words received from the yacht which was in distress, 
 and Zenas quite naturally had read the message as fast 
 as set down. Now, without knowing what reply the 
 lad had sent, Gushing asked sharply: 
 
 "Can't them folks tell you where they are? It 
 wouldn't be such a terrible job for us to put out to them 
 in your new boat." 
 
 He had hardly more than ceased speaking when 
 came the words : 
 
 "We are perhaps twenty miles southwest of Matini- 
 cus Light. Can keep afloat five or six hours. Two 
 boats useless, and the remaining one not sufficient to 
 carry half our people." 
 
 "Where would that be, Zenas?" Paul asked hur- 
 riedly as he pointed to the written message. "About 
 how far from here?" 
 
 "Somewhere thirty-five or forty miles, I should say. 
 It couldn't be further, an' if you pressed the Hampton 
 boat she ought'er do that much inside of four hours. 
 Tell 'em so, an' if so be they're in as bad stress as 
 seems, you an' I'll make the venture." 
 
 "But we can't go away while John Ed " 
 
 "Let John Ed hang himself ! What do silver foxes 
 amount to when there's a yacht full of people that are
 
 234 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 likely to be drowned? Tell 'em we'll go, an' I'll run 
 down to let your father know what's happened." 
 
 Without waiting for a reply Zenas started off at full 
 speed, and Mrs. Downs, who was standing in the 
 door of the farm-house speaking with Mr. Simpson, 
 gave vent to a cry of terror as she saw him, who was 
 supposed to be lying at the point of death, coming at 
 full speed, waving his arms excitedly. 
 
 Zenas's mind was in such a ferment that only with 
 the greatest difficulty could he tell a connected story, 
 and it became necessary for Mr. Simpson to ask many 
 questions before he could arrive at a thorough under- 
 standing of what was on foot. Then, as a matter of 
 course, he exclaimed hurriedly: 
 
 "If it be possible for you and Paul to come up with 
 the wreck in time, set off without delay ; but the ques- 
 tion is whether you will be able to find her." 
 
 "She should be in view a long distance away on 
 such a day as this, an' while I don't claim to be any- 
 thin' great of a sailor, I'd be ashamed to say I couldn't 
 come somewhere near strikin' a twenty-mile spot south- 
 west of Matinicus." 
 
 "Is it possible I can be of any service?" Mr. Simp- 
 son cried as Zenas started back at his best pace to ac- 
 quaint Paul with the fact that his father had the same 
 as commanded a rescue to be attempted. 
 
 "I don't see how three could do any more'n two, an' 
 Paul an' I ought'er be abje to tackle the job, if it's 
 within the power of anybody here," Zenas cried, and 
 so swift was his pace that he had come nearly to the 
 door of the shanty before the last words were uttered.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 235 
 
 "Heard anything more ?" he asked breathlessly, and 
 Paul, who had but just ceased working the telegraph 
 key, replied: 
 
 "The operator on the yacht tells me he has been 
 sounding his distress call since early daylight without 
 receiving any answer, and it would seem as if we were 
 the only ones who could be summoned in time to be of 
 assistance. The port bow has been stove badly; but 
 after shifting everything movable, they have suc- 
 ceeded in raising it so far above the surface of the sea 
 that it is possible, by working all the pumps, to keep 
 her afloat. If the wind should spring up at noon, 
 there's little or no chance she would swim very long." 
 
 "We are to start off this minute 'cordin' to your 
 father's orders," Zenas cried, literally dragging Paul 
 from his chair, and when the two were come to the 
 door of the shanty both uttered cries of dismay. 
 
 Owing to the fact that the Hampton boat had been 
 moored in Swallow-Tailed cove to prevent the possi- 
 bility of her being stolen by Bingham, it seemed to a 
 certainty she was imprisoned there at the very moment 
 when human lives depended upon getting her into deep 
 water. 
 
 "It can't be done," Paul cried helplessly, but con- 
 tinuing to run toward the shore of the cove. "We 
 won't be able to get out over the rocks!" 
 
 "We never shall know if we stand here lookin' at 
 her," Zenas cried angrily. "It strikes me we'd better 
 take the chances of wreckin' her than give over tryin' 
 to do anythin' to help those poor wretches who've got 
 no one to depend on but us."
 
 236 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "But if we wreck her, how much better off would 
 they be?" 
 
 "I'm not allowin' that we are goin' to do anythin' 
 of the kind. It won't be such a terrible easy matter, 
 I'll admit, to take her out over that shallow water; but 
 it seems to me the two of us ought'er have sense 
 enough to do it, if so be there's an inch to spare be- 
 tween her keel and the rocks. Shall we try it?" 
 
 "Of course we'll try it," Paul replied, now so far 
 recovered from the first daze of bewilderment and fear 
 as to be keenly alive to the situation. "If we can hold 
 her until the very moment when the swell comes in, it 
 should be possible to do the trick." 
 
 Zenas, instead of waiting to hear the lad's explana- 
 tions, or plans, whichever they may be called, had 
 seized upon Mr. Downs's dory, which was lying far in- 
 land, dragging her across the sands as if he had the 
 strength of a dozen men in his arms, and when Paul 
 came up to lend a hand the task was finished. 
 
 Zenas hardly waited for his companion to clamber 
 inboard before he pushed the dory off v and it seemed 
 to Paul as if they were on board the Hampton 
 boat within a minute from the time of leaving the 
 shanty. 
 
 Both understood that to waste a few seconds might 
 mean the lives of human beings, and they labored with 
 feverish haste, Zenas weighing anchor while Paul 
 started the motor, both working to such advantage that 
 when she was freed from the ground it was possible 
 to turn the screw. 
 
 "You take the wheel, Zenas, and I'll stand by the
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 237 
 
 motor. Put her through yonder, near where that big 
 rock shows up, for unless I am mistaken that's the 
 only spot on the reef where we can hope to get across. 
 I'll check her speed until the swell comes, an' then send 
 her forward for all she's worth." 
 
 Neither of these landsmen who were putting out in 
 the vain hope of saving those aboard the crippled 
 yacht, had given any heed to their own safety. In- 
 stead of making Mr. Downs's dory fast astern when 
 they came on board the Hampton boat, so great was 
 their excitement and haste that the painter had been 
 untouched, and the little craft was drifting toward the 
 westerly shore, leaving them without means of saving 
 their own lives in case the larger craft should strike the 
 reef with sufficient force to stave her timbers. 
 
 Nor, as has been seen, did they take with them either 
 food or water, but had set off on this almost hopeless 
 attempt without anything whatsoever to minister to 
 their own comfort. 
 
 "We ought'er kept the dory alongside in case we hit 
 them 'ere rocks," Zenas cried as he headed the bow of 
 the boat a few feet to the eastward of the huge boulder 
 that rose across the mouth of Swallow-Tailed cove, as 
 
 
 
 if forbidding entrance to any from the outside. "It'll 
 be a bad pickle for us if we strike too heavy." 
 
 "Never mind that part of it, so that we get out in 
 time." 
 
 "It wasn't the gettin' out that was worry in' me," 
 Zenas replied grimly. "It was the chance we'd be 
 stuck half way, with not much of anything left beneath 
 our feet."
 
 238 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 Under almost any other circumstances Paul would 
 have literally quivered with fear in taking such des- 
 perate chances as were before them. He knew that at 
 the most, providing they came to the obstructions in 
 the mouth of the cove at exactly the right moment, 
 there could not be more than four or five inches of 
 water to spare, and if peradventure the swell receded 
 before the entire length of the boat had passed over, 
 then must she be flung upon the rocks, where the surf 
 would speedily beat her to pieces. 
 
 Fortunately, however, he had in mind only that 
 which was to be attained; saw before him only those 
 people aboard the shattered yacht who had none but 
 him and Zenas to depend upon for safety, and failed 
 almost entirely to heed the peril which he w r as encoun- 
 tering, because of the danger to those so far away. 
 
 Now checking the speed of the motor, and again 
 driving at full speed, Paul manoeuvred so successfully 
 that they met the incoming wave in time to ride di- 
 rectly on its crest. For one instant the two literally 
 held their breath in suspense, expecting each second 
 to hear that grinding of timbers upon the rocks be- 
 neath which would tell that the Hampton boat had 
 come to her grave, and then she darted out like a bird 
 that skims the surface of the sea, dashing the spray 
 on either side of her bow as if exulting that she had 
 escaped the prison which would have held her helpless. 
 
 "That's what I call a pretty neat job, an* a close 
 one !" Zenas cried in a tone of triumph as he swung the 
 helm down to bring the gallant little boat on that 
 course which he believed would bring them to the
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 239 
 
 scene of peril. "We got out by the skin of our teeth ; 
 fifteen minutes later it couldn't have been done, an' 
 seein's how we've had such luck at the start, I'm 
 countin' we'll pull through in great shape." 
 
 "To find a small yacht twenty miles southwest of 
 Matinicus, isn't going to be anything like running for 
 the harbor of Seaview from Barren island," Paul said 
 doubtfully, for now that it had been possible to start 
 out on the voyage for the purpose of life-saving, he was 
 beginning to question their ability to continue it suc- 
 cessfully. 
 
 "On a day like this we ought'er see a decent-sized 
 yacht fifteen miles away, so it stands to reason we've 
 got that bigness of a circle to go an' come in, an' if we 
 don't strike her, I'm goin' to allow that both of us are 
 wooden heads." 
 
 "She may have been picked up before we get there," 
 Paul suggested. 
 
 "So much the better for us." 
 
 "Yes, except that we shall go on hunting and hunt- 
 ing, when she's in a place of safety." 
 
 "All right," Zenas cried cheerfully. "We'll keep on 
 huntin', an' if nothin' comes of it we'll have the satis- 
 faction of knowin' we did our level best." 
 
 Not until that instant did Paul realize in what con- 
 dition matters had been left on the island, and now, 
 as all the possible complications presented themselves 
 to his mind, he cried in a tone of distress : 
 
 "But what will become of father ? I didn't explain 
 to Ned why I couldn't call him again to-day, and the 
 men who might have been sent from Seaview can't be
 
 240 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 summoned. Bingham and his friend can come out of 
 the woods, and, with the Downs family to help them, 
 turn Silver Fox Farm upside down !" 
 
 "That 'ere's a mighty cheerful picture you're 
 drawin'," Zenas suggested grimly, and Paul cried, im- 
 patient in his anxiety: 
 
 "It's no more than may happen. While thinking of 
 those in distress, we should have taken heed to father's 
 situation. I ought to have stayed in the station long 
 enough to tell Ned what call I had picked up out to sea, 
 and warned him to send some one over to Barren isl- 
 and." 
 
 "Yes, an' if you had done all that we wouldn't 
 been able to get this 'ere boat out'er Swallow-Tailed 
 cove." 
 
 "We might have gone out and then come ashore 
 again from the westerly side, long enough to send a 
 message to Ned," Paul said sadly. 
 
 "Ay, we could have spent half an hour or more fid- 
 dlin' 'round in that way, when them poor creeters out 
 in the yacht are countin' every minute 'twixt them an' 
 the other world." 
 
 Paul's distress of mind was keen. He realized that 
 the cry for help which had come through the air must 
 be answered at every hazard, and without the slight- 
 est loss of time. On the other hand, he knew only too 
 well how great would be the danger menacing his 
 father if it chanced that Bingham and his comrade 
 learned that Mr. Simpson had no other on the island to 
 whom he could look for assistance, save the members 
 of the Downs family.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 241 
 
 As the Hampton boat sped on over the foam-flecked 
 waves Paul suffered the keenest distress of mind, fear- 
 ing one instant lest they should not arrive in 
 time to save those who had appealed to him for aid, 
 and again feeling almost positive that by answering 
 the summons he had worked grievous injury to his 
 father. 
 
 "I'll tell you what it is, lad," Zenas said after a time, 
 as he came to understand somewhat of that which was 
 in the lad's mind, ''there's no sense in huntin' 'round 
 to gather in trouble. I'm allowin' your father, with 
 Downs an' the boys to help, will hold his own on Silver 
 Fox Farm " 
 
 "It isn't three hours since you declared that no de- 
 pendence could be put in the Downs family ; that they 
 would turn against father whenever John Ed Bingham 
 raised his finger." 
 
 "True, that's what I did say, lad; but when your 
 father tells 'em where we've gone, they'd be the mean- 
 est kind of crawlin' creeters if they didn't brace up 
 an' show themselves men until we could get back. I 
 don't have any confidence in that old farmer and his 
 two shiftless sons ; but I'm bound to believe there's jest 
 a glimmer of manhood in 'em enough to hold 'em to 
 their duty at such a time as this. How fast is our boat 
 goin'?" 
 
 Paul was surprised by the abruptness of the ques- 
 tion ; but replied promptly, and with no little pride : 
 
 "The builders guaranteed that she should make ten 
 miles an hour, and she's doing her best now. What 
 started you out on that tack?"
 
 242 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "It stands us in hand to keep what you might call 
 dead reckoning so's to know when we come, as near as 
 guess-work can tell us, to the place where the yacht 
 was layin' when she telegraphed you. Now I'm al- 
 lowin' we've got a voyage of forty miles, an' it's for us 
 to keep pretty sharp watch over the time, else we're 
 like to run a good bit out of our course."
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 THE "NERA" 
 
 NOT for one instant would Paul have speculated 
 upon the possibility of turning a deaf ear to the cry 
 for help which had come through the air ; but yet, now 
 when there was nothing to be done save sit idly in 
 front of the motor to make certain it did that for which 
 it had been intended, he could not prevent his thoughts 
 from going back to the desolate island where his father 
 was, as it seemed to him, pitted single-handed against 
 Bingham and his companion, as well as every member 
 of the Downs family. 
 
 "I can't believe that the farmer and his sons felt as 
 repentant as they acted," he said after a long pause, 
 during which Zenas had been straining his eyes into 
 the distance, as if believing it possible to see the dis- 
 abled yacht whose master had appealed on the "wings 
 of the morning" for assistance. 
 
 "Well, s'posen you can't, that don't change matters, 
 does it?" Zenas asked almost sharply. "I'm free to 
 admit that I don't believe they'd have come down on 
 their marrow bones if your father hadn't got 'em dead 
 to rights; but there's no need, now we're playin' the 
 life-boat act, for us to hark back to Barren island 
 huntin' for trouble. Let's do this job up in good shape 
 first, an' then I'll set to with you for a reg'lar spell of 
 worryin'." 
 
 "To think of what may be happening on the island 
 243
 
 244 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 while we are forced to remain here in the boat com- 
 paratively idle, doesn't hinder us from doing what we 
 may in the way of rescuing the yachtsmen." 
 
 'True for you, lad, but it makes us mighty uneasy 
 in mind. See here," and Zenas turned as if his anger 
 had been aroused, to face the lad. "I've got my doubts 
 'bout that Downs crowd, same's you have; but when 
 I'm where I can't raise a finger to prevent them from 
 cuttin' monkey shines, I don't count on frettin' over 
 it." 
 
 Then Zenas fell to figuring exactly where the dis- 
 abled craft might be, and how they could best come at 
 her, until Paul had in a certain degree banished the 
 dismal forebodings from his mind to speculate upon 
 the possibility of being able to render the needed assist- 
 ance. 
 
 If the Hampton boat had been a living thing, under- 
 standing all that was required of her, she could not 
 have carried out her portion of the rescue more swiftly 
 or surely. She forged steadily ahead, Paul watching 
 all the bearings jealously lest they become heated, and 
 more than once Zenas insisted that the little craft was 
 doing considerably better than had been guaranteed by 
 her builders. 
 
 "I allow that we're headed as straight for the place 
 where the yacht was to be found when you heard her 
 wireless contrivance clickin', as if we had the line 
 marked out on a chart," he said when they had been an 
 hour or more on their errand of mercy and Barren isl- 
 and was no longer to be seen astern. "The only trouble 
 is that she may have been picked up by some other
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 245 
 
 craft, an' we'll go blunderin' 'round, same as you 
 feared, till nightfall." 
 
 "When we have come to about the spot where you 
 believed she was, how long do you allow we'd be war- 
 ranted in hunting?" 
 
 "Not more'n a couple of hours. If we can't pick 
 her up in that time I'll allow that she has either gone to 
 the bottom, or been taken in tow by them as happened 
 across her." 
 
 "It's a good deal like hunting for a needle in a hay- 
 stack, after all," Paul said with a long-drawn sigh as 
 he strove earnestly to prevent his thoughts from stray- 
 ing back to where his father might, at that moment, 
 be struggling against overwhelming odds. 
 
 "I allow it may be, lad, but at the same time I ain't 
 goin' to admit anything of the kind." 
 
 Then Zenas began a long-winded story of a rescue 
 at sea such as he had heard from old sailors, talking 
 rather to prevent Paul from dwelling upon affairs at 
 the island, than from any hope of really amusing the 
 lad, and the minutes crept on until the story-teller in- 
 terrupted his not very entertaining tale to say suddenly : 
 
 "Look at your watch now, an' tell me how long 
 we've been away from the island." 
 
 To Paul's great surprise he found that three hours 
 and a half had elapsed since the Hampton boat came 
 out so gallantly from the dangers of Swallow-Tailed 
 cove, and Zenas cried triumphantly as he pointed over 
 the port bow, at the same time that he changed his 
 course slightly : 
 
 "An' we've come as straight for that 'ere yacht as
 
 246 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 a crow could have flown ! Unless I've lost the use of 
 my eyes, there she is." 
 
 "Where?" Paul cried eagerly, striving in vain to 
 see on the horizon anything that resembled a craft in 
 distress. 
 
 "Look dead ahead as we're goin'. Can't you see a 
 speck down yonder?" 
 
 "I can make out something rising and falling on 
 the swell ; but it may be nothing save a bit of floating 
 timber." 
 
 "It's bound to be more'n that, lad, else we couldn't 
 see hide nor hair of it so far away. It's a steamer of 
 some kind, that's certain, for if they had any canvas 
 spread it would be glistenin' white in the sunlight I'm 
 allowin' it's the same craft what telegraphed to you, 
 an' if that's a fact, we've done as pretty a bit of sail- 
 orin' as any man could wish to see. Think of drivin' 
 straight away from Barren island, with nothin' more 
 to shape a course on than what you got with the wire- 
 less, an' hittin' the mark to a dot!" 
 
 It really was wonderful that Zenas should have been 
 able to come up with the yacht from which the distress 
 signals had been sent, if indeed yonder tiny speck was 
 the Nera, and Paul began to believe that his companion 
 was an extraordinarily able seaman. 
 
 "There's more luck than wit about it," Zenas said 
 modestly when Paul began to praise him. "I'm al- 
 lowin' it was set down in the books that we should lend 
 them poor creeters a hand, an' this 'ere craft has much 
 the same as come, without bein' helped by us, to the 
 place we wanted to find."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 247 
 
 As the moments passed that tiny speck in the dis- 
 tance gradually increased in size and shape until there 
 could no longer be any question as to what it was, and 
 Paul shouted aloud in joy, for now was it possible he 
 could render the assistance which had been asked for 
 through the ether. Even at that moment of excite- 
 ment he smiled at the thought of what Mr. Downs and 
 his sons might say regarding wireless telegraphy, when 
 they knew that by answering the appeal which had 
 come on the morning air, it was his good fortune to be 
 able to relieve the suffering of others. 
 
 "There goes her flag!" Zenas cried when the Hamp- 
 ton boat was within three or four miles of the disabled 
 craft, and Paul could see that a dark speck which had 
 been waving half-way up the mast on which was the 
 antenna, was being raised and lowered in joyful greet- 
 ing. 
 
 The yacht was not more than sixty feet in length, 
 and one could but be surprised that such a small craft 
 had been equipped with a wireless apparatus; but her 
 owner, if he was on board at that moment, must have 
 congratulated himself on his wise precaution. 
 
 The little vessel's power was evidently obtained 
 from a gasolene or electric engine, for no smoke-stack 
 could be seen, neither did she carry spars for canvas. 
 She was rising and falling on the waves in a pitifully 
 helpless manner, her bow cocked high in the air, doubt- 
 less to raise the wounded portion above the surface, 
 and the streams of water gushing from the hull told 
 how heavily the sea was boarding her. 
 
 "She hasn't got very many people on board," Paul
 
 248 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 said, noting that no more than five or six men over- 
 hung the rail watching the approach of the Hampton 
 boat. 
 
 "It stands to reason some of 'em are below, workin' 
 for their lives ; but at the most she can't have so many 
 but that we'll be able to take 'em all aboard this craft," 
 Zenas replied, and Paul cried as if such a suggestion 
 gave him pain : 
 
 "Surely you wouldn't think of abandoning a beauti- 
 ful steamer like her ! If there has been no more dam- 
 age done than the crushing of the bow, it should be a 
 simple task to repair her." 
 
 "Ay, lad, if she was in port; but you mustn't think 
 that this boat of yours, little dandy though she is, can 
 do the work of a tug boat. Of course we're bound to 
 get that yacht inter harbor if it is to be done without 
 too great risk; but I'm doubtin' whether we could 
 make much of a fist at towin', even though the weather 
 holds fine." 
 
 There was no opportunity for further speculation as 
 to what the Hampton boat might or might not be able 
 to do, for by this time the rescuers had come so near 
 that one .of the men on board the yacht leaped up on 
 the rail, as he shouted : 
 
 "Ahoy ! Are you the people we talked with by wire- 
 less?" 
 
 "The very same," Paul cried in reply. "Stand by to 
 pass us a line, and we'll drop just astern of you. The 
 swell is too heavy for us to come alongside." 
 
 Zenas steered the Hampton boat in a wide circle that 
 she might be brought under the starboard quarter, and
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 249 
 
 in a twinkling she was made fast, the gentleman who 
 had hailed her, and who was evidently the owner, lean- 
 ing over the stern rail to ask : 
 
 "Have you got power enough to take us in tow?" 
 
 "Our motor is only 6-horse," Paul replied doubt- 
 fully. "Is your engine out of commission ?" 
 
 "There must have been some defect in the tail shaft, 
 and when, after striking the derelict just before day- 
 light this morning, the screw was suddenly reversed 
 to back us off, the entire propeller carried away. We 
 are taking in nearly as much water astern as we can 
 throw out with the pumping motor." 
 
 "Haven't you been able to get any reply, save mine, 
 by the wireless ?" 
 
 "We have been sending out calls ever since you 
 promised to come in search of us, but have heard noth- 
 ing. We are not equipped for long-distance work, our 
 apparatus being more in the nature of a plaything than 
 a serviceable outfit, though, now since you've come, 
 we have reason to be thankful that we dabbled in wire- 
 less telegraphy to the extent of putting up that spar." 
 
 "How much are you hurt?" Zenas interrupted. 
 
 "The port bow is stove just at the water line, for a 
 width of five planks. We have it patched with canvas, 
 and might contrive to live even in heavy weather if it 
 was not for the trouble astern. In case the wind comes 
 up ever so little we must speedily founder. It would 
 be selfish for me to ask that you do more than take us 
 off, for I suppose the little Nera must be left to her 
 fate, yet I would be willing to pay her full value if she 
 could be taken into port."
 
 250 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "We don't want pay for such service as this," Paul 
 said quickly. "If we can tow her, I'm ready and will- 
 ing to make the attempt; but because of the situation 
 of affairs as we left them on Barren island, I do not 
 feel warranted in spending very much extra time. As 
 it is, we could not return to that place, doing our best, 
 before dark, and then you would be twenty-two miles 
 from the mainland." 
 
 "Is there a harbor at the island?" the yachtsman 
 asked. 
 
 "Yes, a good one for a craft as small as this." 
 
 "Suppose one of you come aboard and look us over? 
 But first it is best to introduce ourselves. I am Chester 
 Sawtelle, owner and master of the Nera. The gentle- 
 men next me are Joseph Lumley, and Samuel Brown- 
 son, both of New York, and my guests. Our crew 
 numbers seven, including the steward and cook." 
 
 "And I am Paul Simpson, whose father is experi- 
 menting with raising silver foxes on Barren island. 
 My comrade is Zenas Gushing, who is to help me in 
 the work." 
 
 "Raising silver foxes!" Mr. Sawtelle cried in sur- 
 prise, and then realizing that he had sent for assistance 
 to save the lives of himself and his companions, rather 
 than to gain information of fox raising, he added in a 
 tone of entreaty, "Will you come on board, Master 
 Simpson, look at the extent of our injuries, and de- 
 cide whether you will make an attempt to tow the 
 yacht to Barren island? I have not as yet thanked 
 you for answering " 
 
 "There is no reason why you should do so. It would
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 251 
 
 be a mighty poor kind of a fellow who wouldn't do all 
 he could at such a time as this, when human lives are 
 in danger. Zenas had better go aboard, for he knows 
 more about such matters than I do." 
 
 Gushing did not wait for the matter to be discussed. 
 He had been burning with curiosity to see the yacht 
 from her own deck, and the moment his name was 
 mentioned he scrambled like a monkey over the stern 
 rail, using both hands and feet to work his way up 
 the hawser by which the Hampton boat was made 
 fast. 
 
 Mr. Sawtelle and his friends disappeared from view 
 of Paul when Zenas was on board, and during ten 
 long minutes nothing could be seen of them. Then it 
 was that Gushing showed himself as he over-hung the 
 stern rail, and said in a business-like tone: 
 
 "I've got the idee, Paul, that it wouldn't be a ter- 
 rible job to yank this 'ere craft inter sich a port as can 
 be found on Barren island. Now that the screw has 
 been carried away, there's nothin' to drag water, an* 
 I'm allowin' we could make three or four miles an hour 
 with her behind us." 
 
 "At that rate we wouldn't make Barren island, even 
 if the weather held good, until morning," Paul said in 
 dismay. 
 
 "Ay, it would take as long as that." 
 
 "And father may be in; sore need of us this very 
 moment !" 
 
 "He may, an' then agin it might be the other way. 
 I don't allow John Ed would show up very strong till 
 that 'ere schooner got inter the cove "
 
 252 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "She was to leave Seaview this morning, and may 
 be there even now!" 
 
 "You don't allow, lad, there's any chance of that! 
 She's got to have wind in order to make twenty-two 
 miles within twelve hours, an' I'm askin' you whether 
 the breeze is piping up very strong?" 
 
 Until this moment Paul had not realized that there 
 was no more than the suspicion of a breeze to be felt. 
 During the voyage from Barren island the movement of 
 the Hampton boat through the water had been suffi- 
 cient to set the air in motion directly in her vicinity; 
 but now she was lying still, the lad understood that the 
 wind had died out into a flat calm. 
 
 "Unless a breeze springs up John Ed's schooner will 
 drift 'round outside of Seaview, an' I ain't countin' 
 we'll get anythin' that might be called a gale 'twixt 
 now an' mornin'. The chances are even, if we take 
 this 'ere yacht in tow, that we'll get to Barren island in 
 time to lend a hand in whatever may be goin' on. I've 
 told Mr. Sawtelle jest how you are fixed, an' he agrees 
 not to yip if you cast off the tow line before we've 
 made a mile. Then agin, Paul," and here Zenas low- 
 ered his voice to a whisper, "can't you see that if we 
 take this crowd back to the island, John Ed won't be 
 able to cut many of his didoes, seein's how we'll have 
 help enough to knock all the mischief out of his ugly 
 head?" 
 
 This last argument was a strong one. Paul had 
 asked himself more than once since the Hampton boat 
 left Barren island, how his father, Zenas and himself 
 would be able to oppose the crew of the schooner if
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 253 
 
 they should boldly attempt to land in search of, or to 
 aid Bingham, without being able to arrive at any satis- 
 factory conclusion. 
 
 If, however, the Nera might be towed into the cove, 
 her crew could, and undoubtedly would, do all in their 
 power to assist the owner of Silver Fox Farm, and 
 while they remained there at anchor matters would be 
 conducted in strict accordance with his father's wishes. 
 
 "Seems like a mighty good trick, to happen along 
 there with a gang big enough to swallow the Downs 
 family as well as John Ed an' his friend, don't it?" 
 Zenas suggested with the intent to influence Paul's 
 decision. "It wouldn't be a case of keepin' awake 
 night after night, stealin' forty winks of sleep here an' 
 forty there; but we'd have a force that would make 
 standin' guard seem like child's play." 
 
 "Do you really believe we can tow the yacht?" 
 
 "Indeed I do, lad. You wouldn't hesitate to hook 
 on to Captain Tobi's sloop, an' 'cordin' to the build of 
 this craft she'll slip through the water a good deal 
 easier than that clumsy old drogher." 
 
 "If the wind springs up, so that there is danger the 
 schooner can get over from Seaview, I'd feel that we 
 must make all speed for the island, even if this yacht 
 was left to sink." 
 
 "Mr. Sawtelle understands that part of it, lad, for 
 I've made the whole thing plain, an' he agrees not to 
 say a word if you make up your mind to abandon 
 this craft, after trkin' all hands off." 
 
 "We'll try it," Paul replied, speaking doubtfully, as 
 if not thoroughly convinced he was acting the wiser
 
 254 THE WIREtESS STATION 
 
 part, and when the announcement had been made Mr. 
 Sawtelle showed his head above the rail. 
 
 "I didn't want to urge you to that which you were 
 opposed, Master Simpson," he said in a tone of satis- 
 faction; "but now that you have decided to help us 
 save the little Nera, I must say that you shall be paid 
 well for the service." 
 
 "I'm not doing it for money," Paul cried stoutly. 
 "If there was no more to it than that, I'd have been 
 bound for Barren island half an hour ago, for I feel 
 very anxious concerning father." 
 
 "I believe I understand what is in your mind, and 
 am free to confess that it seems to me he will be in 
 little danger between now and to-morrow morning, 
 when we should arrive if the weather holds good. 
 Those men who are bent on killing the foxes have no 
 reason to believe you will remain away very long, 
 therefore, if they have common sense, must wait until 
 they know exactly where you may be found, in order 
 to safe-guard themselves. When we do arrive it will 
 probably be quite a while before I can get a tug to tow 
 the yacht to where she can be repaired, and in the 
 meantime your father will have the assistance of all 
 our crew and company." 
 
 "That last will be very welcome, sir," Paul replied, 
 and added hurriedly, "There is no good reason why 
 we should spend time talking when we might be going 
 ahead. I suppose we will do better to take a long tow- 
 line." 
 
 "That is my idea, unless you pull the Nera down 
 by the head so much that the water comes in through
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 255 
 
 the bow. Will you take one of my engineers aboard 
 to spell you at the motor ?" 
 
 "I had rather stay here myself. I know the boat 
 better than a stranger can, and will be able to get more 
 speed out of her." 
 
 "We'll send a hawser aboard at once," and both Mr. 
 Sawtelle and Zenas disappeared from view again. 
 
 In the bow of the Hampton boat, made fast to the 
 timbers on either side, was a stout timber to which the 
 anchor cable could be made fast, and here Paul de- 
 cided to run the towing line, belaying it at the stern in 
 such manner that it would hold steady. 
 
 Five minutes later Zenas was on board with Paul, 
 making arrangements for the task before them, and 
 from the deck of the Nera Mr. Sawtelle gave advice 
 now and then, although it soon became apparent that 
 Gushing was better skilled in such work than the 
 owner of the yacht. 
 
 When everything was in readiness Paul sent his 
 craft ahead slowly until the slack of the line could be 
 taken up, and then came two or three anxious moments 
 before headway was gained on the disabled yacht, for 
 it was a grave question as to how much the Hampton 
 boat might be able to do. 
 
 "Now she's got her!" Zenas cried triumphantly as 
 the small boat forged slowly ahead, swinging the Nera 
 around. "She'll do the trick in great shape, an' won't 
 turn a hair! Talk about towin' with this 'ere craft! 
 I've seen tugs twice or three times her size who 
 wouldn't make as good a fist of it." 
 
 "She surely is doing well," Paul added as he alter-
 
 256 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 nately glanced astern, and then at the motor to make 
 certain it was working properly. "I believe you were 
 right in saying that we could tow the yacht more 
 easily than we could Captain Tobi's sloop." 
 
 "I'm sure of it," Zenas shouted in glee. "We'll have 
 that dandy little craft in the cove by sunrise, an' then I 
 allow it won't be sich a terrible job, with the crew of 
 the Nera to lend a hand, to bottle John Ed Bingham 
 up so's he can't spin another thread against Silver Fox 
 Farm." 
 
 Paul was not so confident that the run would be a 
 short one; he realized that at any moment matters 
 might become so complicated that it would be impos- 
 sible to reach Barren island for a long time, and, per- 
 haps, without having accomplished the purpose for 
 which they were then working. 
 
 An accident to the motor; the fouling of the hawser 
 with the Hampton boat's screw ; a sudden and unfavor- 
 able change of weather any or all of these might 
 work an injury that could not speedily be repaired, and 
 in the meanwhile Mr. Simpson would be alone among 
 enemies, with more than a possibility that the venture 
 of raising silver foxes would be wrecked. 
 
 Because of these fears which crowded into Paul's 
 mind despite all his efforts to put them far from him, 
 the lad was unusually careful with the motor, oiling 
 here and cooling there, as he kept a jealous eye on the 
 snake-like towing line that alternately sank beneath the 
 surface, and again raised high in the air with the 
 water streaming from its entire length. 
 
 "We're doing better than three miles an hour,"
 
 'AHOY! ARE YOU THE PEOPLE WE TALKED WITH BY WIRELESS?'
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 257 
 
 Zenas said in a tone of satisfaction after thirty minutes 
 had passed, and the gallant little boat was ploughing 
 her. way steadily onward dragging the larger craft 
 behind her. "I'm .wonderin' how they're gettin' on 
 aboard the yacht. The power pumps have been 
 workin' reg'lar, an' within the past ten minutes I've 
 noticed what seems to be a couple of hand pumps on 
 deck well for'ard." 
 
 "It may be that the strain we put on her is drag- 
 ging the bow under, as Mr. Sawtelle was afraid might 
 be the case," Paul suggested, but his companion re- 
 plied confidently: 
 
 "I don't allow it's anythin' of the kind that's 
 troublin' 'em. Most likely the leak at the stern is 
 opened a bit wider since she began to move through 
 the water. It would be a big pity to lose her now, 
 when we've proved that this 'ere craft can snake her 
 along in great shape." 
 
 "Do you mean that she might sink?" Paul asked, 
 thus suddenly learning of a fresh cause for anxiety. 
 
 "Of course that is what will happen if they can't 
 keep the water down. It's odd that we forgot to make 
 some plan about givin' signals. With the yacht's en- 
 gine out of commission they can't sound the whistle, 
 an' things might go all at sixes an' sevens without our 
 knowin' there was any trouble." 
 
 "Don't, Zenas, don't," the lad cried nervously. 
 "What with thinking of all that may be happening to 
 father at this very moment, and the chances of our 
 motor's breaking down, I can't bear much more in the 
 way of worry."
 
 258 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "Give over fussin', an' take things as they come. 
 That's the only way to get along smooth-like in this 
 world. You can keep yourself all haired up over this 
 or that without changin' it the least little bit. It's way 
 off the best plan to trust the present without strainin' 
 yourself to look ahead after what might possibly 
 happen." 
 
 Then Zenas began whistling vigorously, and Paul 
 cried with no slight show of temper because of his 
 anxiety : 
 
 "Of course I don't pin my faith on signs; but every 
 sailor knows that a wind may be raised by whistling 
 for it, and it wouldn't take much of a breeze to put an 
 end to our job of towing." 
 
 "All right, lad," was the cheery reply. "I'll take to 
 smokin', an' then my mouth will be too busy to get me 
 into mischief. But all the same, we're gettin' along 
 famously, an' are bound to see Barren island before 
 daylight." 
 
 "Can you hold your course in the dark?" 
 
 "I'd almost agree to do it with my eyes shut; but 
 after sunset, when the stars are shinin', is the very 
 easiest time for steerin'. It's a big pity we didn't have 
 a lantern aboard so's you could keep watch of the 
 motor." 
 
 "I don't need one," was the curt reply, and during 
 the hour which followed not a word was spoken aboard 
 the Hampton boat. 
 
 Then it was that Zenas broke the silence by saying 
 half to himself : 
 
 "It took us nigh to four hours comin' out, an' at the
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 259 
 
 speed we're makin', the island should be well under our 
 bow by day-break. We'll have to haul in considerable 
 slack of the hawser before beginnin' to swing 'round 
 the point." 
 
 "There's little need to make arrangements for any- 
 thing of that kind when we're not more than half-way 
 on the run," Paul replied grimly. 
 
 There is no real need why any attempt be made to 
 set down all that was said by the crew of the Hampton 
 boat during that long night, when she forged steadily, 
 though slowly, ahead, drawing after her the disabled 
 yacht, and every turn of the screw brought Paul just 
 so much nearer to his father, who might even at that 
 moment be needing him sorely. 
 
 The lad watched the motor through all the hours of 
 darkness as a cat- watches a mouse, and at the helm 
 stood Zenas, careful to hold the craft steadily on her 
 course, until the darkness of night began to give way 
 before the coming of a new day, and even while the 
 gloom was yet so dense that Paul could not distinguish 
 the outlines of the yacht, save by the lights she dis- 
 played, the helmsman shouted joyfully: 
 
 "There's that blessed Barren island! I never ex- 
 pected I'd be glad to see it; but it's lookin' mighty 
 good jest now." 
 
 "I can't see anything," the lad said impatiently as 
 he strove in vain to pierce the gloom with his eyes. 
 
 "Mighty nigh dead ahead it lays. Can't you see the 
 loom of the land now ? It looks somethin' like a cloud 
 on the horizon." 
 
 "How do you know that is Barren island? We
 
 260 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 may have left it far away on either bow, and be miles 
 off our course." 
 
 "We might have done all that fool business ; but we 
 haven't," was the confident reply. "I ain't settin' my- 
 self up for much of a sailorman ; but when I can't hold 
 a course on a clear night like this has been, I'll hug the 
 land mighty close. Watch out now, an' you'll see 
 Silver Fox Farm begin to loom up good an' big." 
 
 There was little need to urge this last. Save when 
 he was busied about the motor Paul never took his 
 eyes from the dark shadow seemingly so far away on 
 the horizon, and as the light grew stronger he had the 
 satisfaction of seeing the island rise out of the sea, as 
 it were, until he could plainly distinguish the general 
 outlines. 
 
 "We should be there in three hours," he said half 
 to himself, and Zenas added stoutly : 
 
 "Call it two, an' you'll be nearer the truth. We 
 can't be more'n three miles away. Hello ! Don't that 
 look like a fore-an'-aft schooner jest beyond the 
 point?" 
 
 "That's what it is !" Paul cried excitedly. "It must 
 be the craft Bingham was expecting. She don't seem 
 to have much way on." 
 
 "Only driftin' 'round. This 'ere breeze ain't strong 
 enough to give her much more'n steerage way, an' un- 
 less somethin' begins to hum mighty soon, we'll be 
 inter the cove ahead of her." 
 
 "If it really is the schooner, then we know to a cer- 
 tainty that nothing can have gone wrong with father, 
 for it isn't reasonable to suppose John Ed would at-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 261 
 
 tempt any serious mischief until the remainder of his 
 gang were with him." 
 
 "I'll walk ashore this very minute if yonder schooner 
 ain't the craft that landed the old smuggler! There 
 wasn't sich a dreadful good chance to see her that 
 night; but I had time to get her general trim pretty 
 well in mind." 
 
 "If it is she, they are bold to stand in toward the 
 island in the day-time." 
 
 "They can't help themselves, lad," Zenas cried with 
 his peculiar purring laugh. "Seein's there ain't any 
 wind to speak of, an' that headin' her if she should try 
 to sneak back to the mainland, what else can she do but 
 keep on driftin' ? It's all comin' our way, Paul Simp- 
 son," and now Zenas showed signs of excitement. 
 "We'll be inter the cove ahead of that pirate, an' when 
 he stands in to-night to take off John Ed, we'll have 
 men enough at our backs to give the whole crowd the 
 surprise of their lives!"
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 THE SCHOONER 
 
 Now for the first time did Paul feel proud because 
 of what he and Zenas had done during the twenty- 
 four hours just passed. Until this moment he had 
 been so anxious concerning his father's safety that 
 there was no room in his mind for anything else. 
 When, however, it appeared certain that the schooner 
 John Ed Bingham was expecting would come to take 
 off him and his friend, had not as yet succeeded in 
 reaching the island, there could be little doubt but that 
 Mr. Simpson had been unmolested. 
 
 That he had received a wireless message from far 
 out to sea, and answered it so successfully, was a mat- 
 ter in which Paul might justly take pride, and more 
 particularly so since it was probable he had been the 
 means of saving human life. 
 
 "We haven't done a bad job," he said in a tone of 
 satisfaction, after having convinced himself that the 
 schooner to be seen to windward was the same craft 
 which had been under repairs at Seaview. 
 
 "Jest found that out, eh?" Zenas asked with a purr- 
 ing laugh. "Why, lad, the very same thing has been 
 in my mind ever since we took this 'ere hawser aboard. 
 I don't allow that I'm very well posted on what you 
 call wireless telegraphy ; but when I know that a couple 
 of boys have rigged up what'll bring a message across 
 the sea from them who are in distress, likely to go to 
 
 262
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 263 
 
 the bottom at any minute, I say to myself that it's a 
 big thing. Then, when you an' I can run out on ac- 
 count of that same message, not callin' ourselves sailor- 
 men, an' pick up the disabled yacht same's if we was 
 walkin' across a pasture, I reckon it's another big 
 thing. Add to all that this towin' a craft like the 
 Nera with a Hampton boat, forty miles or more, an' 
 if we ain't got the right to throw our chests way out 
 I don't know who has." 
 
 "Father will be pleased," Paul said as if speaking to 
 himself, and Zenas added emphatically: 
 
 "Pleased? That won't be any name for it! He 
 ought'er say to himself that even if Silver Fox Farm 
 goes to everlastin' smash, he's made a big haul jest 
 by findin' out he's got a son who can get up an' get 
 same's you've been doin' since this fox business was 
 started." 
 
 "Now you are laying it on so thick that I'll be stiff- 
 necked with pride," Paul replied, his face flushing with 
 pleasure even though he was not inclined to admit that 
 all the praise was warranted. 
 
 "An' you've got a good right to be, same's Ned 
 Bartlett has. If you two hadn't been foolin' 'round 
 with that 'ere wireless contrivance last spring, an' had 
 brains enough to know how to run the thing, the silver 
 fox scheme would have gone to smash four days ago, 
 an' this very minute that dandy little yacht would be 
 driftin' 'round outside threatenin' to drown all hands 
 on board. Stiff-necked ! Why you couldn't be blamed 
 if you didn't look at us ordinary folks agin." 
 
 "There! The schooner is standing about!" Paul
 
 264 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 cried suddenly as he pointed to windward, and Zenas 
 looked around with the air of a weather prophet, as he 
 cried exultantly: 
 
 "Say, we didn't get here any too soon, lad. The 
 wind is freshenin' mighty fast. Look at them clouds 
 that have begun to gather since sunrise. We're goin' 
 to have all the breeze that'll be needed 'twixt now an' 
 night. What would them as are on board the Nera 
 be thinkin' about if she was driftin' 'round same as 
 when we found her, while the sea is beginnin' to get 
 lumpy ? Even as it is, they'll have to work the pumps 
 mighty lively to keep the water down." 
 
 "But the schooner?" 
 
 "Ay, the comin' of the breeze is luck for her, 'cause 
 now she can run down out'er sight to wait till dark, 
 when I'm allowin' we'll make them as are on board 
 dance a tune that won't be to their likin', if so be they 
 try to lend John Ed a hand." 
 
 An hour later the Hampton boat, with the Nera 
 towing astern, had come so near Barren island that 
 Zenas was making a long circle in order to fetch the 
 entrance of the cove without running any risk of 
 swinging the yacht ashore on the point, and Paul was 
 taking in the slack of the hawser to shorten it. 
 
 On the island near the wireless station could be seen 
 a group of four gazing earnestly at the on-coming 
 craft, and Paul knew full well that it was made up of 
 his father, Mr. Downs and the two boys. 
 
 "I wonder what Sam and Ernest will have to say 
 against that 'contraption' of mine, now that they must 
 understand I did really get a message 'on air' ?" Paul
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 265 
 
 said gleefully, and Zenas cried with a gurgle of de- 
 light: 
 
 "It'll make 'em sit up an' take notice, I reckon ! An' 
 it ain't all the surprise we'll give 'em 'twixt now an' 
 the time we get this 'ere fox farm runnin' in good 
 shape. They'll find out that what your father says is 
 bound to go, an' John Ed Bingham ain't in it for a 
 little bit, no matter how much he blusters." 
 
 The crew of the yacht, seeing that Paul would 
 shorten the towing line, hauled in on it with a will, 
 until, before Zenas had swung the Hampton boat 
 around sufficiently, the Nera was not more than thirty 
 feet astern. 
 
 "You have done a good job, lad," Mr. Sawtelle 
 shouted from the bow of his yacht. "You are deserv- 
 ing of even more praise for having put up a wireless 
 station that was effective, than for the work of towing. 
 Take it all in all, and I am of the belief that we owe 
 you our lives, for by this time, because of the wind 
 having come up so rapidly, the Nera couldn't have re- 
 mained afloat an hour. Even as it is, we have been 
 forced to use hand pumps in order to save her from 
 foundering." 
 
 "I'm mighty glad we're here," Paul replied, "and 
 the greater portion of the credit is due to this Hamp- 
 ton boat. Hasn't she worked like a lady?" 
 
 "Indeed she has, my boy, and you have good reason 
 to be proud of her." 
 
 Then Zenas gave the word for the crew of the Nera 
 to stand by ready for mooring, and he swung the helm 
 hard up, thus allowing the larger craft to glide for-
 
 266 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 ward from the momentum already given, until two 
 minutes later when she was well up the cove, but still 
 in deep water, he shouted : 
 
 "Let go your anchor!" and the task of life-saving 
 and wrecking was come to a successful end. 
 
 Paul decided that it would be better to lay the 
 Hampton boat alongside the Nera, in case she might 
 be needed suddenly. Then, after Mr. Sawtelle had said 
 he would go on shore as soon as practicable, the lad and 
 Zenas landed in the yacht's tender, met at the water's 
 edge by Mr. Simpson, Mr. Downs, Sam and Ernest. 
 
 Paul's father clasped him in his arms immediately 
 he stepped on the beach, kissing the lad on both cheeks, 
 after which he said in a tone which brought a deep 
 flush of pride to Paul's cheeks and a flood of affection 
 to his heart : 
 
 "Afyson!" 
 
 "I'm mighty glad to be back and know that nothing 
 has gone wrong with you," Paul said heartily as he re- 
 turned his father's fervent embrace. "I have worried 
 all the time for fear the schooner would put in while 
 we were away, and Mr. Bingham be able to do as he 
 pleased." 
 
 "We haven't seen the men since you went away. 
 They have not shown themselves at the farm-house for 
 food; but it isn't probable either has suffered from 
 hunger, for this morning I saw where they had built 
 a fire and roasted lobsters." 
 
 "Who gave them the lobsters?" Paul asked sus- 
 piciously as he glanced toward the farmer, and his 
 father replied quickly:
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 267 
 
 "There has been no treachery, my son. It would 
 be a simple matter for them to catch lobsters at 
 low water by poking with sticks around the rocks. 
 I have spent the greater portion of my time at Mr. 
 Downs's house, therefore know beyond the possibility 
 of a doubt that matters have gone as I would have 
 them." 
 
 "Do you believe Bingham has been able to do any 
 harm to the foxes?" 
 
 "It is possible, but not very probable. I spent two 
 hours or more yesterday, after you left, walking in the 
 vicinity of the timbered land, and the men couldn't 
 have moved about very much without showing them- 
 selves. I cannot believe any very great harm has been 
 done as yet." 
 
 Then Mr. Simpson half turned as if to go toward 
 the farm-house, and Mr. Downs, who had been shak- 
 ing Zenas vigorously by the hand, evidently congratu- 
 lating him upon what had been done, came forward as 
 he said to Paul: 
 
 "After this, lad, nobody shall laugh at that 'ere 
 wireless contraption of yours while I'm 'round, an' yet 
 I never would have believed words could be sent on 
 the air in such a way that they'd stop at your bird 
 cage. It's the most wonderful thing I ever heard tell 
 about. I declare to goodness if it don't even beat 
 raisin' silver foxes by hand." 
 
 "How did the people on that steamer happen to 
 know just where to send you word that she was dis- 
 abled?" Sam asked, without venturing to indulge in 
 that grin which had been so annoying to Paul.
 
 268 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "You had better let me explain the working of the 
 wireless some time when both of us have an idle hour, 
 and once you've got the idea in mind, the thing will 
 seem very simple." 
 
 "But how did they know you had the contraption 
 here on this island?" Sam persisted, and Paul replied 
 with a laugh: 
 
 "They didn't know it A person trying to send a 
 message on air, as you call it, causes, by aid of his 
 telegraph key, certain vibrations in the atmosphere, 
 which, radiating in one direction, may be caught up by 
 any station within a certain radius. Perhaps you will 
 understand it better by thinking of a small pond of 
 water, into the middle of which a rock has been thrown, 
 when ripples come up on the surface, growing larger 
 and larger until either reaching the shore, or dying 
 away, according to the power given to the rock. So 
 it is in the air: the wave sounds come up, and they 
 might be caught by a dozen stations, if there were so 
 many within the working power of the apparatus from 
 which the message was sent." 
 
 Sam scratched his head in perplexity; Ernest stood 
 open-mouthed as if he would absorb the information 
 through his throat ; but neither of the boys ventured to 
 cast discredit upon Paul's "contraption." Like their 
 father, they had come to realize that the "bird cage" 
 suspended between the two spars near the head of 
 Swallow-Tailed cove was the result of a marvellous 
 discovery, the proof of which was the presence of the 
 Nera in the harbor. 
 
 "What's the matter with the steamer?" Mr. Downs
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 269 
 
 asked, and Zenas took it upon himself to explain, say- 
 ing in conclusion: 
 
 "She will have to lay here till Paul can send a mes- 
 sage to Ned, an' get him to telegraph overland for a 
 tug from Portland. Meanwhile 'cordin' to my way of 
 thinkin', Mr. Sawtelle can do better than keep the 
 pumps goin'. If I was in his place, I'd build a raft 
 around her, with hawsers running under her keel, an' 
 then she might lay here all summer without danger of 
 sinking." 
 
 "Where would you get timbers for the raft?" 
 Ernest asked curiously. 
 
 "I'd hire your father to get 'em, if so be Mr. Simp- 
 son allowed it could be done without disturbin' the 
 foxes. So you haven't seen hide nor hair of John Ed, 
 eh?" 
 
 "He won't dare to show himself while Mr. Simpson 
 stays 'round the house, an' we boys haven't left the 
 place since you went away, so's to prove that we don't 
 have any truck with him." 
 
 "It's a good scheme to let Paul's father have all the 
 proof he's needin' that you're playin' square." Zenas 
 said dryly, and he would have followed Mr. Simpson 
 and Paul, who were evidently intending to go to the 
 wireless station, but that Mr. Sawtelle hailed from the 
 deck of the yacht : 
 
 "Ahoy! The Nera is not so much of a wreck that 
 we can't serve meals, and breakfast is just being 
 put on the table. Ask Master Simpson, his father, 
 and Zenas to come aboard and take pot luck with 
 us."
 
 270 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 It is needless to say that the invitation was accepted 
 without hesitation, and during the meal many plans 
 were laid, not only regarding the safety of the yacht, 
 but for the furtherance of the silver fox scheme. 
 
 Mr. Sawtelle would have spoken at considerable 
 length regarding the amount of salvage which should 
 be paid to Paul and Zenas, for, as he stated, there was 
 no question but. that the yacht would have foundered, 
 possibly carrying down with her some of the crew, if it 
 had not been for the timely arrival of the Hampton 
 boat. 
 
 But to this proposition Mr. Simpson would not 
 listen, stating that it was not the intention either of 
 himself or his son to set a money value upon the ser- 
 vices rendered ; it was enough that they had been able 
 to succor those who were in distress, and in the satis- 
 faction of so doing, he declared that Paul and Zenas 
 would find a greater reward than could be had through 
 the medium of money. 
 
 "Very well," said the owner of the Nera, interrupt- 
 ing Mr. Brownson when he would have made a 
 protest against Mr. Simpson's decision. "We are 
 likely to lay here some time, and there will be ample 
 opportunity to consider how we may discharge the debt 
 of gratitude which is due." 
 
 Then he discussed with Paul's father as to how the 
 Nera could best be gotten into Portland, and during 
 the conversation Zenas took considerable part, offering 
 advice which the gentlemen believed to be valuable. 
 His proposition was that several days might, and prob- 
 ably must, elapse before a tug could be summoned, and
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 271 
 
 in the meantime he advised building a raft around the 
 yacht, as he had already suggested to Mr. Downs. 
 
 The result of this was that the owner of the Nera 
 left the matter entirely to his discretion, agreeing to 
 pay whatsoever in the way of wages might be de- 
 manded for the services of Mr. Downs and his sons, 
 and Zenas hurriedly finished his breakfast in order to 
 set about the task without delay, for all this while it 
 had been necessary for every member of the crew to 
 work industriously at the pumps. 
 
 It was also agreed before the meal had come to an 
 end that, in case Mr. Simpson should need the services 
 of any or all of those who had been rescued, in the 
 guarding of his farm, he might feel at liberty to call 
 upon them either by day or by night. 
 
 Although the matter was not stated in so many 
 words, it was generally understood that strict watch be 
 kept from that moment on different parts of the island 
 to guard against the escape of John Ed Bingham and 
 his friend, which it seemed probable, in view of the 
 fact that the fore-and-aft schooner had been seen, 
 would be attempted that very night. 
 
 It was also agreed that during such time as the Nera 
 remained in the cove, Mr. Simpson, Paul, and Zenas 
 should take their meals on board her, for, as her owner 
 said, while she was much the same as a wreck the 
 larder remained well filled, and her cook was compe- 
 tent to prepare the provisions in a most approved 
 manner. 
 
 When all these matters had been decided upon, and 
 the breakfast, which was more in the nature of a din-
 
 272 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 ner, had come to an end, Paul and Mr. Sawtelle went 
 to the wireless station in the hope of being able to com- 
 municate with Ned, for it was now nearly noon, and 
 instruct him to send such telegraphic messages as 
 might be required in order to summon a tug. 
 
 Mr. Simpson went on guard at the farm-house once 
 more. Zenas had already impressed Mr. Downs and 
 his sons into service. The four were hewing timbers 
 from the small thicket immediately to the eastward of 
 the dwelling, where was no danger the foxes might be 
 disturbed, and the crew of the yacht continued their 
 task of pumping out the sea water which was coming 
 in so rapidly through the shaft-box. 
 
 Mr. Sawtelle was, as might be understood from his 
 having an apparatus on board the Nera, a student in 
 the art of wireless telegraphy, or radiotelegraphy, as 
 the scientists term it, and again was Paul's pride 
 aroused when the gentleman praised him in no meas- 
 ured terms on the results of his work. 
 
 "I thought I was pretty well advanced in this busi- 
 ness ; but I find that you lads have gone ahead of me," 
 he said as he examined each portion of the apparatus. 
 "Let me see you work it." 
 
 'T suppose you will think me awkward at using the 
 key," the lad said modestly; "but I haven't had suffi- 
 cient experience to be a rapid operator." 
 
 Then he opened the trunk,, fixed the wires for the 
 reception of waves, turned on the switch, adjusted the 
 potential divider, and began sending out the call n d. 
 
 The answering signal came almost immediately, fol- 
 lowed by the question:
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 273 
 
 "Where have you been ? Did Bingham get hold of 
 you, or has the island drifted away?" 
 
 "I picked up a message from a disabled yacht twenty 
 miles south-west of Matinicus," Paul replied. "Zenas 
 and I went after her in the Hampton boat and towed 
 her in." 
 
 "You towed a yacht to Barren island ?" Ned asked, 
 working the key so rapidly that Paul could well under- 
 stand how excited he was by the startling information. 
 
 "That is true; she's here now. Her owner wants to 
 hire a tug. Can you get Captain Tobi into the 
 station ?" 
 
 "Where is Bingham?" 
 
 "Somewhere on the island. We'll catch him to- 
 night. Can you get Captain Thompson?" 
 
 "I'll have him in about ten minutes. Will you wait 
 there?" 
 
 "Yes," came the reply, and the conversation was at 
 an end for the time being. 
 
 "Who is this Captain Tobi, and Captain Thomp- 
 son?" Mr. Sawtelle asked curiously. 
 
 "One and the same person, sir," Paul replied laugh- 
 ingly. "An old sea captain who will understand how 
 your business ought to be done, and, if you choose, can 
 attend to it for you." 
 
 Then, to occupy the time while they were waiting, 
 the owner of the Nera discussed with Paul as to how 
 he might by a trifling outlay increase the power of his 
 station, and suggested so many improvements and con- 
 veniences in and around the shanty, that it was to the 
 lad almost as if his arrangements for radiotelegraph-
 
 274 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 ing had suddenly fallen far below the standard he and 
 Ned originally designed. 
 
 "Before the Nera is able to leave this vicinity you 
 and I will make big improvements here," Mr. Saw- 
 telle said cheerily. "I have a quantity of material on 
 board, and it is all at your service, for boys who can 
 accomplish what you and your friend have, should be 
 supplied with whatever may be needed for a long dis- 
 tance station. Then some day, after you can call your- 
 self an expert at the business, I'll come down here and 
 we'll build a flying machine. This would be an ideal 
 spot for work of that kind." 
 
 "I shan't attempt anything quite so scientific as that," 
 Paul said laughingly. "It is an easy matter to build a 
 wireless, with all the information a fellow can get out 
 of books ; but he deserves to break his neck as well as 
 his legs if he tries that which is beyond him." 
 
 "But it isn't beyond you, my boy, and you can get 
 as much concerning air-ships from books, as you did 
 regarding radiotelegraphy. But we will talk about 
 that another time." 
 
 Within ten minutes Ned announced that Captain 
 Thompson was in the Seaview station, when Mr. 
 Sawtelle himself took the telegraph key, and during 
 nearly an hour he and Ned flashed back and forth 
 questions and answers until matters regarding the 
 Nera were as nearly settled as they could be from a 
 distance. 
 
 "I suppose you have heard all I said ?" Mr. Sawtelle 
 asked, turning to Paul, and the latter replied as if 
 almost ashamed to admit the fact :
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 275 
 
 "You sent so much more rapidly than I that I 
 couldn't follow more than half. As I understood it, 
 you have hired Captain Thompson to engage a tug and 
 bring her here. He believes the Nera can be repaired 
 at Seaview as well as at Portland." 
 
 "That is exactly it ; but as to the last question I am 
 undecided." 
 
 "There's a good shipyard at Seaview, and if you 
 should go there the Hampton boat could tow the yacht 
 over, providing we waited for a fair day." 
 
 "I never thought of that possibility," and Mr. Saw- 
 telle started to his feet with some considerable show of 
 excitement. "It is well worth considering, and I will 
 talk it over with Lumley and Brownson." 
 
 He left the station hurriedly, and at the same mo- 
 ment Ned called the island. 
 
 "Who has been sending the messages?" was the 
 question which Paul read. 
 
 "The owner of the yacht we towed in." 
 
 "Say, he can handle the key all right. It kept me 
 humping to make sense out of it. What kind of an 
 apparatus has he on board the yacht?" 
 
 "I haven't seen it, but shall before he leaves. If you 
 could only come here now while the Nera is in the 
 cove." 
 
 "That's what I'm counting on. Would you and 
 Zenas come after me?" 
 
 "Say the word, and we'll be there." 
 
 Then the conversation was brought to a close, and 
 leaving his instruments without fear of harm coming 
 to them now that the Downs boys and their father had
 
 276 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 been brought into subjection, as it were, Paul went 
 over to the farm-house. 
 
 "What about John Ed Bingham now?" the lad 
 asked triumphantly, when he was come to where his 
 father was sitting in the door of the dwelling with his 
 eyes fixed upon that portion of the timbered land where 
 it was believed the smuggler and his companion were 
 in hiding. 
 
 "It was fortunate for Mr. Sawtelle that you were 
 able to go to his relief, and, as I look at the matter, 
 still more fortunate for Silver Fox Farm that you 
 towed the yacht here, because now we have helpers 
 enough to prevent the old smuggler from making his 
 escape, no matter how many may come in the schooner 
 to aid him." 
 
 "Do you believe he will attempt to leave the island 
 while so many are here?" 
 
 "Not knowing how long a stay the yacht may make, 
 I fancy he will be all the more eager to get away, fear- 
 ing lest we hunt him out. Besides, it is not probable 
 he will be satisfied with a diet of roasted lobsters many 
 days. It is certain that the schooner, when she comes 
 back, won't dare enter the cove while the Nera lays 
 there. Daniel Downs, who has just come up from the 
 shore, reports that he can make her out, seemingly 
 hove to down to the westward. She will haul in here 
 before midnight, unless I am greatly mistaken." 
 
 "What do you intend to do, sir?" Paul asked curi- 
 ously, and his father replied : 
 
 "I haven't been able to decide the matter as yet. If 
 it were not that I must make an example of Bingham,
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 277 
 
 so others may be deterred from molesting the foxes, I 
 would allow the old scoundrel to escape. But if he 
 should go free after what has been done, I shall have 
 no assurance that he won't try the same game over 
 again. Certain it is that other men who are equally 
 dishonest would think it safe to follow his ex- 
 ample." 
 
 "Then you count on having him arrested, sir?" 
 
 "It is what must be done for the good of Silver 
 Fox Farm, and the question is, how it can be effected ? 
 I am afraid starving them out will be too long a 
 process, and I'm opposed to sending any force through 
 the woods in pursuit of the men, because of disturbing 
 the animals." 
 
 "The longer they stay in hiding the greater chance 
 that they will come upon some of the foxes." 
 
 It was to Paul very much as if his father preferred 
 to be alone while settling this question in his mind, and 
 he left him, going to the cove where Mr. Downs, with 
 the steers, was hauling timbers which had been cut by 
 his sons and Gushing. 
 
 Before sunset Zenas had proven that he was capable 
 of caring for a craft in the condition of the Nera, and 
 the crew of the yacht were decidedly convinced of his 
 ability because there was no longer any necessity for 
 keeping the hand-pumps going. 
 
 By rafting the timbers just hewn, under the stern 
 of the little craft, he had raised it so far above the sur- 
 face of the water that the sea no longer found entrance 
 through the shaft-box, while at the same time, acting 
 upon his instructions, the seamen had patched the bow,
 
 278 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 paying it well with cold tar, until it was nearly water- 
 tight. 
 
 "I don't allow I've done everythin' Bristol fashion," 
 he said in reply to a complimentary remark from Paul, 
 as the two, in company with the Downs boys, stood 
 on the shore gazing at the Nera. "It's all been done 
 same's a barn-door carpenter would set about doing it ; 
 but I'm allowin' them 'ere sailors are thinkin' it 
 couldn't be fixed better, 'cause they don't like to work 
 the pumps any too well. She'll lay there snug as a 
 bug till the tow-boat conies for her, an' to-morrow I 
 believe we can put a patch over that tail-shaft in such 
 a way as will stop a good part of the leak." 
 
 "Then you have given up farming silver foxes to 
 turn ship carpenter, eh?" Sam asked with the grin 
 which was so disagreeable to Paul. 
 
 "I'm what you might call a jack-at-all-trades, with- 
 out bein' very good for anythin' in particular. But 
 I'm countin' on showin' my hand at catchin' a smug- 
 gler this night." 
 
 "Meaning John Ed, eh?" Ernest asked with a note 
 of anxiety in his voice. 
 
 "That's just who I am meanin'." 
 
 "But he won't try to get away from here while there 
 are so many folks 'round," and now Ernest spoke in a 
 confident tone, whereupon Zenas cried sharply, point- 
 ing to the westward : 
 
 "Then why is that 'ere schooner creepin' up here? 
 Them as are on board of her must think we're blind, 
 if we don't know what she's about. After she drifted 
 within plain sight this morning, it was their business
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 279 
 
 to keep away three or four days, till we'd given over 
 looking for 'em; but now the fools are comin' right 
 on bold as lions, allowin' we're asleep." 
 
 "They can't come ashore without our knowin' it," 
 Ernest suggested, and it seemed as if this remark gave 
 Zenas a happy thought. 
 
 Motioning for Paul to follow him, he started off in 
 the direction of the shanty, and when the two had left 
 the Downs boys so far in the rear that they could not 
 by any possibility overhear the conversation, he said: 
 
 "Look here, lad, I've got a plan which if it don't 
 work won't do any harm. We're goin' aboard the 
 yacht for supper 'twixt now an' sunset, most likely. 
 Now s'posen when it grows dark, that instead of 
 comin' ashore agin, we slip inter the Hampton boat 
 an' run down to westward till we pick up that 'ere 
 schooner? Seein's how our craft sets so low in the 
 water I'm allowin' we might get close on them villains 
 without their knowin' it." 
 
 "And then what?" Paul asked in perplexity, not yet 
 understanding Zenas's plan. 
 
 "Then we'll follow her, an' I'm reckonin' we'll dare 
 to run as near the shore as that schooner will, seein's 
 we don't draw a quarter-part so much water." 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 "Wa'al, that's the end of it. It'll be a case of our 
 cuttin' out the boat that puts ashore, an' if so be your 
 father's agreeable, you an' I can work the whole trav- 
 erse. I ain't sayin' as we^can lay hands on John Ed; 
 but we'll catch them as come to help him, an' without 
 their cronies on the schooner bein' any the wiser."
 
 2 8o THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "But we can't cruise around making prisoners of 
 every one who tries to land on Barren island." 
 
 "I allow your father will look at the thing in a dif- 
 ferent light. If we get hold of them as put ashore 
 from the schooner, he can send 'em over to Seaview in 
 the Hampton boat on a charge of trespassing, an' in 
 the meanwhile we'll have muddled John Ed an' his 
 friends to beat the band."
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 A MISCALCULATION 
 
 Not until after Zenas had gone into all the details of 
 his plan was Paul convinced that it had in it any 
 elements of success, and even when he felt most hope- 
 ful, the possibilities of failure seemed greater than 
 those of success. 
 
 Put into the fewest words, the scheme which Zenas 
 believed could not by any chance go awry, was that the 
 two run out in the Hampton boat after night had 
 come, searching for the schooner. As a matter of 
 course, if those on board the vessel discovered their 
 whereabouts, the plan would be a failure, save in so 
 far that they would be able to ascertain without much 
 exertion where a landing might be attempted. 
 
 Zenas felt certain, however, that he could come 
 within view of the schooner and yet remain unseen by 
 those on board, in which case he would follow cau- 
 tiously until a boat should be sent off to open com- 
 munication with John Ed Bingham. 
 
 It was necessary for the success of this scheme that 
 the vessel approach the land at some point where the 
 shore would not permit of her running in very close, 
 and Zenas felt confident such might be the case, be- 
 cause the fact that the disabled yacht was in the cove 
 would prevent any attempt at a landing in that vicinity. 
 
 "They are bound to strike the southerly point of 
 the island for more reasons than one," he said while 
 
 281
 
 282 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 arguing the matter with Paul in the seclusion of the 
 shanty. "The first reason is 'cause John Ed is at that 
 end, an' can't well get anywhere else on account of 
 our havin' so many to stand watch. Then agin, the 
 schooner wouldn't go to Swallow-Tailed cove, even if 
 the old smuggler could get there, on account of not 
 bein' able to send a small boat ashore after the tide 
 had ebbed a couple of hours, or within that same time 
 of its bein' high water. So you see, lad, it is the same 
 as a dead sure thing they'll try the southerly point." 
 
 "What then?" 
 
 "Why the rest is as easy as rollin' off a log. The 
 schooner won't be able to come within half a mile of 
 the shore, an' the night promises to be so black that 
 them as are left on board will lose sight of their boat 
 before she's a hundred yards away. I'll agree to put 
 our craft in anywhere among the rocks that they can 
 run a dory, an' the minute the scoundrels have made a 
 landin' we'll snake their boat off, leavin' 'em prisoners, 
 providin' we ain't lucky enough to cut the craft out 
 completely, towin' her, with all aboard, inter the cove." 
 
 "And what do you fancy the men will be doing 
 while we are towing them along?" 
 
 "It may be they'll show fight ; but I count on havin' 
 a boat-hook handy, an' if I can't keep three or four of 
 'em quiet it'll be time for me to lay down." 
 
 "I'm ready to try it," Paul said after a brief pause; 
 "but it seems to me that we're taking big chances of 
 getting the worst of it." 
 
 "If you're afraid, of course that settles the whole 
 business, unless I can get one of the Nera's crew to
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 283 
 
 go with me," Zenas replied in a tone which nettled the 
 lad decidedly, and he cried sharply : 
 
 "Don't think that I'm afraid of what they may be 
 able to do. If father is willing for us to make the 
 venture I shall go with you." 
 
 "Then the business is settled. Let's find your 
 father now, 'cause I've got considerable to do in the 
 way of makin' the Hampton boat ready before we can 
 start." 
 
 It was not a difficult matter to have private speech 
 with Mr. Simpson, and when Zenas had outlined the 
 scheme to him he said with a smile: 
 
 "It appears to me that you are counting unhatched 
 chickens, for unless those on the schooner move ex- 
 actly in accordance with your desires, the plan must 
 fall through. So far as concerns your running out 
 to pick up the vessel with the idea of learning at which 
 point she will try to come into touch with Bingham, I 
 heartily approve of it, and advise that you do not at- 
 tempt anything more, because of the danger that you 
 may have made a miscalculation in your plans." 
 
 This permission, although not so hearty as Paul 
 could have wished, appeared to satisfy Zenas. On the 
 instant he set off for the cove to make his arrange- 
 ments, and Mr. Simpson was at that moment joined 
 by Mr. Sawtelle, who held him in private conversation 
 so long that Paul could do no less than leave them 
 alone. 
 
 The lad would have gone directly to the station to 
 put the apparatus in order for the night, after ex- 
 changing a few messages with Ned; but the Downs
 
 284 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 boys prevented him, unless he was willing to take them 
 into the shanty. 
 
 Both Sam and Ernest appeared to be laboring under 
 considerable excitement, which Paul decided must be 
 caused by the presence of so many strangers on the 
 island, or because John Ed Bingham was in danger 
 of being made prisoner, and this last seemed the more 
 probable. 
 
 The boys were eager to learn if Paul had received 
 any late messages from Seaview; if he was intending 
 to send any; how long the Nera was likely to remain 
 in the cove, and if her crew would do all they might 
 toward assisting Mr. Simpson in the capture of 
 Bingham. 
 
 "One would suppose, after all that has happened, 
 you would be glad to know we stand a good chance of 
 bringing John Ed up with a round turn," Paul said 
 in a tone of suspicion, and Sam made haste to declare : 
 
 "Of course we would ; but it stands to reason that 
 we're kind'er curious to know what's goin' on. If 
 you don't want to tell us, we won't bother, but it does 
 seem as if there was no need of keepin* us in the dark 
 after your father believes that we're standin* right be- 
 hind him, ready to do whatever he wants of us." 
 
 "I'm not keeping you in the dark," and Paul began 
 to be ashamed of his suspicions. "I do not know any- 
 thing more than you concerning father's plans for the 
 night. To the best of my belief he hasn't yet decided 
 what is to be done, except that Bingham must be made 
 prisoner." 
 
 "It don't seem as if you could put a man in jail jest
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 285 
 
 'cause he stepped foot on Barren island," Ernest mut- 
 tered, and Paul seemed to think it necessary his 
 father's position be defined. 
 
 "I don't know if that can be done; but surely the law 
 may deal with him for coming here as he has done. 
 Hiding in your house and then in the woods is proof 
 that he's trying to do some mischief to the foxes. But 
 the first thing will be to make charges against him for 
 attempting to kill Zenas, and when that has been 
 proven I'm allowing he won't trouble Silver Fox Farm 
 for some time to come." 
 
 It seemed much as if the Downs boys had suddenly 
 lost all desire for information, and one would have said 
 they were seriously disturbed in mind because the man 
 who had been the cause of so much trouble was in dan- 
 ger of answering for his misdeeds. 
 
 They turned abruptly away, going toward the farm- 
 house, and again Paul would have continued on to the 
 shanty ; but this time he was stopped by a signal from 
 the Nera that supper was ready. 
 
 It was indeed a pleasure to partake of such a meal 
 as Mr. Sawtelle served to his guests. The yacht had 
 been provisioned in the most generous manner, and, as 
 Zenas said more than once, "the cook laid himself out 
 to show in what way grub could be juggled when a fel- 
 low knew how to do it." 
 
 On this evening Zenas did not linger at the table as 
 he had at noon, when he seemingly grieved because of 
 leaving the hospitable board even after it was impos- 
 sible for him to eat anything more. He ate rapidly, 
 urging Paul to do the same, and when their hunger had
 
 286 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 been appeased he led the way on deck, saying as they 
 gained the open air: 
 
 "I allow we're ready for the cruise, an' the sooner it's 
 begun the better, seein's we're bound to run slow till 
 havin' picked up the schooner. There's no knowin' 
 how much time we've got, an' it won't do to muddle 
 this thing jest because of laziness." 
 
 Paul went over the rail into the Hampton boat by 
 way of answer, and five minutes later the little craft 
 was gliding slowly out of the cove like a phantom in 
 the darkness. 
 
 Although it was not possible the schooner could be 
 in the vicinity sufficiently near for their conversation 
 to be overheard even though it had been carried on in 
 an ordinary tone, Zenas spoke only in whispers when 
 Paul came to his side, and stood like a statue at the 
 wheel straining his eyes into the gloom in search of 
 the enemy. 
 
 "I allow there's no need of our doin' much tongue 
 waggin' now, 'cause we understand what's to be done. 
 All I ask is that you follow me when the time comes 
 right. Keep an eye out for the schooner, an' if you 
 pick her up before I do, slow the motor down." 
 
 Paul, who in his nervous excitement had gone for- 
 ward to be near Zenas, now returned to his station in 
 front of the motor, and in the most perfect silence, 
 save for the soft chug-chug-chug of the machinery, 
 which was deadened by the wash of the waves and the 
 whispering of the night wind, the search for the 
 schooner was continued. 
 
 How many moments passed before the quest was at
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 287 
 
 an end, Paul could not have said. The suspense and 
 excitement were so great that he had no idea as to the 
 passage of time, but strove to soothe himself by count- 
 ing the revolutions of the screw. 
 
 Then came the moment when Zenas stepped back a 
 couple of paces and waved his hand energetically, 
 which Paul interpreted to mean that the motor was to 
 be stopped, and after this had been done the lad went 
 noiselessly to the helmsman's side. 
 
 Without speaking Zenas pointed over the starboard 
 bow, and after ten seconds or more Paul succeeded in 
 making out the dim outlines of a schooner's spars, so 
 misty and vague that a less sharp-sighted man than the 
 one who stood at the wheel would have failed to see the 
 slightest semblance to a vessel. 
 
 During five minutes the Hampton boat lay motion- 
 less on the water, save as she rose and fell on 
 the waves, and then it was possible to see that the 
 ghostly craft was moving at right angles with the 
 course the searchers had been pursuing. 
 
 Paul understood that Mr. Bingham's friends were 
 steering for the southerly point of the island, exactly 
 as Zenas claimed would be their course, and for the 
 first time since casting off from the Nera did the lad 
 have hope their venture might be a success. If the 
 first portion of the programme was being carried out 
 as Gushing believed, why might not the remainder 
 follow in such a manner that the small boat, perhaps 
 John Ed himself, be captured? 
 
 Not until the shadowy spars were nearly lost to 
 view in the distance did Zenas motion for his com-
 
 288 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 panion to start the motor again, and then the Hampton 
 boat crept slowly on after her intended prey with no 
 more of noise than might have been made by a school 
 of playful fish. 
 
 An hour later and the pursuers were come so near 
 the island that the loom of the land could be made out 
 in the distance, and the roaring of the surf against the 
 rocky coast sounded in their ears with startling dis- 
 tinctness. 
 
 Then it was that Zenas stepped back from the wheel 
 to whisper cautiously : 
 
 ''Now send her ahead at the best speed ; but be ready 
 to slow down when I wave my hand." 
 
 The Hampton boat was swung around on a wide 
 circle, passing entirely beyond view of the schooner's 
 spars, to come up close within the line of surf at that 
 point where the reef extended farthest to the south. 
 
 Once more it was possible for Paul to get a glimpse 
 of the shadowy spars, and as Zenas gave the signal to 
 stop the motor, the lad could hear the thud of oars in 
 their row-locks. 
 
 Again was the programme being carried out ex- 
 actly in accordance with Zenas's figuring. The Hamp- 
 ton boat was within a short distance of a dory which 
 was proceeding from the schooner to the shore in 
 search of John Ed and his friend, and the time for 
 action had arrived. 
 
 Zenas was as patient as a cat watching a mouse. 
 He held the boat motionless while the men from the 
 schooner, seemingly unaware that any one was watch- 
 ing their movements, pulled here and there seeking a
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 289 
 
 safe entrance amid the long lines of jagged rocks, and 
 instantly they shot landward on the crest of a wave, he 
 signalled for Paul to send the Hampton boat ahead. 
 
 It was dangerous work, putting the heavy craft into 
 that narrow water-way, where the slightest deviation 
 from the proper course would send her on the rocks 
 where the surf must speedily wreck her; but the man 
 at the helm was determined on capturing those who 
 would do mischief to Silver Fox Farm, and prepared 
 to take any chances in order to compass his purpose. 
 
 It was possible for Paul to see, even in the gloom, 
 two men leap out of the dory as she was pulled skil- 
 fully into a narrow rift of the ledge, and it appeared 
 to him that they carried long poles or clubs in their 
 hands; but he had no time to scrutinize them very 
 closely because whispered orders from Zenas were 
 coming thick and fast. 
 
 It was "slow down," "send her ahead," "stop her," 
 in rapid succession until the Hampton boat had fol- 
 lowed the dory, and was lying with her bow alongside 
 the smaller craft, protected from the swell by the reef 
 on either side. 
 
 Verily those friends of John Ed Bingham's must 
 have been exceedingly well acquainted with Barren 
 island at all stages of the tide, for at no other time 
 could this landing have been effected with any degree 
 of safety. 
 
 "It'll take 'em quite a while to find John Ed, seein's 
 how he couldn't have had any way of knowin' exactly 
 where they'd come, an' we can do our work in good 
 shape."
 
 290 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "You can't do more than steal the boat," Paul re- 
 plied, and Zenas was so reckless as to indulge in a soft, 
 purring laugh as he drew out from the boat's bow a 
 large coil of thin line sufficiently strong to be used as a 
 towing hawser for such a craft as the dory. 
 
 "There's enough of this 'ere so we can make fast an' 
 then back off out'er sight till the villains are aboard, 
 when we've got 'em foul." 
 
 "But they can easily cut the line." 
 
 "By the time they know what's happened I'll have 
 'em alongside so near that the boat-hook can be used 
 as a persuader," Zenas replied as he went over the rail 
 of the Hampton boat, Paul following his example ac- 
 cording to instructions. 
 
 Because the dory was lying, as a matter of course, 
 head on the shore, it was necessary the line should be 
 made fast to her stern, for there was not sufficient room 
 to turn the craft when the flight was begun, and Zenas 
 performed this task with the utmost caution, after 
 he had secured one end to the bow of the Hampton 
 boat. 
 
 Thus far everything had worked exactly as Gushing 
 planned it would, and at the very moment when both 
 he and Paul felt confident of success, disaster came. 
 
 It was not probable the men on the schooner could 
 have received warning of what was to be done, for 
 they had held no communication with the island since 
 the plan was made ; but certain it is they could not have 
 moved with more precision had the whole scheme been 
 written down with the most minute detail. 
 
 Zenas had but just made the line fast, and was pull-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 291 
 
 ing on it to make certain the bowline held securely, 
 when Paul was conscious of a crashing blow on the 
 head which seemingly caused sparks of fire to fly from 
 his eyes. After that he had no knowledge of what was 
 going on until he heard some person in the distance 
 cry out: 
 
 ''We'll keep on for the mainland. You can pick us 
 up at Rocky ledge." 
 
 Dimly the lad wondered what might be the meaning 
 of the words, and vainly he strove to understand what 
 had occurred at the very moment when success seemed 
 assured, until the touch of Zenas's hand upon his face 
 restored him to full consciousness. 
 
 "What's going on?" he asked in a whisper, and 
 Zenas replied grimly, as if amid disaster he could see 
 something comical in the situation : 
 
 "I've made a bloomin' fool of myself by allowin* 
 that those fellows wouldn't be on the lookout for us, 
 that's all." 
 
 "Did they strike me on the head?" 
 
 "I reckon there ain't any doubt 'bout it, an' I got a 
 clip that knocked me silly. 'Cordin' as I rigger it, they 
 took the oars ashore, an' then laid low till we'd done 
 the work. It must have been that we were seen from 
 the schooner, an' they were ready for us. I'm allowin' 
 both of us were tumbled inter this 'ere dory, an' then 
 John Ed's friends set about runnin' the business same 
 as if it was their own scheme." 
 
 "Where are they carrying us ?" 
 
 "To Rocky ledge, as nigh as I can make out from 
 what that fellow said when we passed the schooner."
 
 292 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "But we can't go there!" Paul cried in alarm, and 
 Zenas replied soothingly: 
 
 "I don't allow we can. It's only a matter of cuttin' 
 the tow rope, an' then standin' by to defend ourselves 
 in case they pick us up agin." 
 
 ''Why don't you do it?" Paul screamed, regardless 
 as to whether their captors might hear him. 
 
 "I'm waitin' till we get somewhere nigh the mouth 
 of the cove ; they are runnin' up the shore of the island, 
 an' we may as well save ourselves all the work we 
 can." 
 
 Then Zenas, taking a knife from his pocket, crept 
 into the bow of the dory, watching meanwhile the con- 
 formation of the land, and when the Hampton boat 
 was hauled around on a course which, if continued, 
 would bring her to Seaview, he severed the line. 
 
 "There, that shuts us off from them, an' I'm hopin' 
 your boat will pick up with her screw the line that's 
 trailin' astern, so's to bring their pleasin' little excur- 
 sion to a mighty sudden end." 
 
 "They have stolen the Hampton boat!" Paul cried 
 as if he had but just become aware of the fact, and 
 Zenas replied in a grim tone: 
 
 "I kind'er had a suspicion of that when we started 
 an' I found as how's we'd had a pressin' invitation to 
 change crafts." 
 
 "But how can they run her?" 
 
 "I'm allowin' there's some one aboard who is as well 
 posted on motor boats as you. . The fact is that John 
 Ed has most likely got away, an' now we're bound to 
 hunt for your boat as well as him; but don't get it
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 293 
 
 inter your mind that the old scoundrel is goin' to 
 sneak out'er this scrape without considerable rufflin' 
 of the hair. I've got nothin' else to do from now on 
 but chase him, an' we'll have a settlement if I live long 
 enough." 
 
 By this time Paul was sitting in the stern-sheets 
 striving to make out by the shore line how near they 
 were to the cove, and Zenas, having relieved his mind 
 somewhat by swearing vengeance against Bingham, 
 said in what he intended should be a cheery tone : 
 
 "My head is swimmin' worse'n it did after John Ed 
 served me out over by the farm-house; but we've got 
 to work the oars if we don't hanker after bein' carried 
 off to sea." 
 
 Then he fumbled about in the bottom of the craft 
 while one might have counted twenty, at the end of 
 which time he cried with what was very like terror in 
 his tones: 
 
 "There isn't an oar aboard this blessed craft. They 
 took 'em ashore so's to have somethin' to knock us 
 down with -" 
 
 "I saw that they had what looked like poles in their 
 hands." 
 
 "There's no question but that they got sight of us 
 'bout the time we came across them perhaps before, 
 an' figgered the whole out the same's I did, only their 
 reckonin' worked right an' mine went all wrong. Now 
 what's to be done?" 
 
 "We can't make any great fist at rowing without 
 oars," Paul replied bitterly, striving manfully to pre- 
 vent any token of fear from sounding in his voice.
 
 294 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "An' what wind there is blows off shore from the 
 island. 'Cordin' to all appearances we're likely to land 
 at Seaview before seein' Barren island agin !" 
 
 The men in the Hampton boat had given no heed 
 when the tow-line was cut, although it must have been 
 apparent that there was no longer any drag on their 
 craft, and after two or three minutes spent in silence 
 Zenas said bitterly: 
 
 "They had the whole thing down mighty fine, an' 
 didn't care whether we cut the line or not. I reckon 
 the villains counted we'd do that same before findin' 
 out that there were no oars aboard, an' was mighty 
 glad to get rid of us. But I'll square accounts with 
 John Ed " 
 
 "What is the use of threatening, when you can't 
 raise a finger ?" Paul asked impatiently, and Zenas said 
 with a mirthless laugh : 
 
 "Seein's how I can't do anythin' else, it ain't any 
 great harm if I let off a little steam, allowin' it makes 
 me feel a bit better. We're bound to drift 'round here 
 till some craft picks us up, or we've come to the main- 
 land, an' I reckon there'll be time enough on our hands 
 to do a good bit of threatenin'." 
 
 Paul had held his courage as long as possible, and 
 now that the situation was thus pictured in words he 
 gave way, burying his face in his hands while mingled 
 grief and terror found vent in violent sobs. 
 
 On the instant Zenas turned comforter, and, pulling 
 the boy's head on to his own shoulder, he strove to 
 soothe him much as a mother would a child. 
 
 "It isn't so bad but that it might be worse, lad.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 295 
 
 We're adrift, with mighty little chance of bein' picked 
 up before mornin', that I'll admit; but there's no sea 
 on, an' we'll pull through in great shape if you'll only 
 keep your upper lip stiff." 
 
 "I don't mean to play the baby," Paul said as he 
 strove to repress his sobs; "but I'm thinking of how 
 father will feel when we fail to come back, and he 
 knows that some disaster has come to us. He'll be- 
 lieve matters are worse than really is the case." 
 
 "Your father isn't quite a fool !" Zenas said, speak- 
 ing sharply in the hope of arousing the boy from his 
 despair. "He'll know that John Ed an' his gang don't 
 dare go very far in their mischief, on account of the 
 law, an' it wouldn't surprise me a little bit if he guessed 
 jest what has happened." 
 
 "Then he will believe we have been drowned!" 
 
 "Not a bit of it. He'll send word to Ned to have 
 Captain Tobi put out his sloop to hunt us up " 
 
 "How can he do that when I'm not there? He 
 doesn't know anything about working the wireless." 
 
 "True for you; but Mr. Sawtelle can run the ma- 
 chine all right, an' he'll be talkin' with Ned Bartlett 
 as soon as day comes. Say, when we picked up the 
 Nera it wasn't in our minds that we were doin* our- 
 selves a good turn, eh? S'posin' the owner of the 
 yacht wasn't there? Then all that contraption would 
 be useless, whereas it don't make the least little bit of 
 difference because you're off here driftin' round in this 
 'ere dory for your health. Say, what about your old 
 power boat ? When we don't show up what's to hinder 
 your father comin' out in her to hunt us up?"
 
 296 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "He doesn't know how to run the motor." 
 
 "What about Mr. Sawtelle's engineer? Don't you 
 reckon he could handle a toy craft like her? Now 
 stop tryin' to find trouble, lad. We're where we can't 
 help ourselves, an' it's only makin' a bad matter worse 
 to give way same's you're doin'. The night will go 
 all the quicker if we don't get down to the heel, an' 
 when mornin' comes it's almost the same as certain 
 we'll be picked up by some fisherman, or by your 
 father. He'll know in what direction the wind is 
 takin' the dory, an' can steer for us as straight as we 
 went for the Nera." 
 
 Thus did Zenas comfort the sorrowing lad, striving 
 to dispel his sorrow and his tears; but even while 
 thus engaged the good fellow knew that danger men- 
 aced, against which nothing could be done by them. 
 The wind might shift, sending them out to sea where, 
 and he remembered many such cases, the dory would 
 drift about until those on board had starved to death. 
 
 Meanwhile matters on the island were not favorable 
 to the speedy sending out of a relief expedition in 
 search of those who had been so neatly tricked by John 
 Ed's friends. 
 
 Owing to the fact that the schooner remained hove 
 to so far from the shore when a dory was sent in search 
 of the old smuggler, those who were on the alert 
 against John Ed's escape did not see her, therefore no 
 one could say whether she had come up to the land or 
 not. 
 
 All the crew of the Nera, including Mr. Sawtelle and 
 his friends, took part in the guard duty. Mr. Downs
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 297 
 
 and his sons were stationed near Swallow-Tailed cove 
 where there was little likelihood they could come in 
 contact with the fugitives, and Mr. Simpson went to 
 and fro, keeping all the watchers under his eye. 
 
 Thus it was he did not know that Paul and Zenas 
 remained absent, until nearly sunrise, when he passed 
 the word that it was useless longer to stand guard be- 
 cause there was no probability John Ed would make 
 any attempt to leave the island after day had come. 
 
 Not until he was on board the yacht, having been 
 summoned to partake of an early breakfast after the 
 long night's vain work, did he ask for Paul, and would 
 have sent to the shanty to see if he might be there, 
 when Mr. Sawtelle pointed out the ominous fact that 
 the Hampton boat was not in the cove. 
 
 It is needless to say that the greatest excitement 
 prevailed immediately it was discovered that the two 
 who had set off to capture the smuggler unaided were 
 missing. Contrary to the supposition of Zenas, no one 
 suspected the truth. It was believed that there had 
 been foul play, and in a twinkling all hands were 
 scouring the shore of the island fearing to find ominous 
 evidence. 
 
 It was a full two hours after sunrise before Mr. 
 Simpson was convinced that the solution to the mys- 
 tery would not be found on Barren island, and the 
 owner of the Nera suggested as a forlorn hope that 
 word be sent to Seaview by the wireless. 
 
 "We'll give information that Paul and his com- 
 panion are missing, on the chance that some word may 
 be received there concerning them," Mr. Sawtelle said
 
 298 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 in a hopeful tone. "Then we will send some of my men 
 out in the power dory to search, and surely we shall 
 come upon the poor fellows soon, for it isn't possible 
 the smuggler or his friends would haVe dared " 
 
 Mr. Sawtelle did not finish the sentence, for the in- 
 ference was too horrible, and to prevent Mr. Simpson 
 from getting the idea that bloody work might have 
 been done, he hurried him away to the shanty. 
 
 Fortunate indeed was it for all concerned that Paul 
 and Zenas had answered the distress call of the Nera, 
 thus bringing another wireless operator to the island, 
 otherwise at this time nothing could have been done 
 but set off on a blind search in the old dory, and that 
 would likely have been fruitless, since there was no 
 indication in which direction the would-be rescuers 
 should proceed. 
 
 The first call Mr. Sawtelle sent out was answered 
 promptly by Ned, who recognized at once that a stran- 
 ger hand was handling the key, and one could almost 
 have fancied there was a note of anxiety in the click 
 of the instrument as he asked, without waiting to learn 
 why he had been summoned : 
 
 "Where is Paul?" 
 
 "He went out in the Hampton boat with Zenas last 
 night, and has not returned." 
 
 The operator from Seaview was so impatient that 
 he could not wait for Mr. Sawtelle to say more; but 
 interrupted by sending out his call, thereby checking 
 wave-sounds from the island, and the Nera's owner 
 switched on the receiver, uttering an exclamation of 
 astonishment as the words sent by Ned were formed.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 299 
 
 "What is it?" Mr. Simpson asked eagerly, under- 
 standing that Ned was sending information of impor- 
 tance. 
 
 Not until the message had been received in its en- 
 tirety did Mr. Sawtelle make reply, and then, wheeling 
 about suddenly, he said with no little of excitement in 
 his tones: 
 
 "The Seaview operator says that your Hampton 
 boat was abandoned in that port by four men, who were 
 taken aboard a schooner the same vessel that has been 
 undergoing repairs there, an hour ago,"
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 THE RESCUE 
 
 IT was not difficult for the owner of Silver Fox 
 Farm to make a fairly good guess as to what had hap- 
 pened, after receiving the message from Ned. 
 
 Although his anxiety was great, as may well be 
 imagined, neither he nor Mr. Sawtelle went so far 
 afield in their conjectures as to take in the possibility 
 that murder had been committed, and it only remained 
 to speculate as to where Paul and Zenas had been left 
 by John Ed Bingham and his confederates. 
 
 "In trying to capture the smuggler they were them- 
 selves taken prisoners, and it is more than likely you 
 will find your son at some point on the mainland," the 
 owner of the Nera suggested, and this supposition Mr. 
 Simpson believed to be correct. 
 
 The two men were eagerly discussing this matter in 
 order to decide where search should first be made, when 
 Ned began calling again, and after Mr. Sawtelle an- 
 swered, he asked: 
 
 "What is to be done with the Hampton boat? Do 
 you believe Paul has been killed ?" 
 
 "There is no fear any such crime has been com- 
 mitted," Mr. Sawtelle replied, working the key so rap- 
 idly that Ned must have had difficulty in reading the 
 sounds. "He has been left on the coast somewhere." 
 Then, prompted by Mr. Simpson, he added, "Go your- 
 self, or hire some one to take the boat and run up the 
 
 300
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 301 
 
 coast looking for Paul. We will put out from here in 
 the power dory." 
 
 "I will go," came back the reply. "Anything more?" 
 
 "Good-by," was sent from the island station, and the 
 owner of the Nera wheeled about in his chair as he said 
 hurriedly : 
 
 "Of course you will count me in on this work, Mr. 
 Simpson. My engineer can run the power boat, and 
 perhaps you should remain behind to make certain 
 everything goes ship-shape here. Do you know, I am 
 beginning to take quite a fancy to silver fox farm- 
 ing, because it promises so much in the way of excite- 
 ment. If you ever want a partner I'm your man." 
 
 "Why should I stay behind when the search is made 
 for my son ?" Mr. Simpson asked almost irritably. 
 
 "It was only a suggestion which I had no right to 
 make. Owing to the size of the power dory only the 
 engineer and one other should set off, since there are 
 two to be brought back, which will make a full crew 
 for the craft. As I look at the matter, there is nothing 
 more serious in it than that Paul and Zenas have been 
 knocking around all night without shelter, but we shall 
 soon have them to rights. Your duties here must not 
 be neglected, especially while you cannot trust the 
 farmer and his sons, therefore it seemed to me it would 
 be as well if I took your place in the boat." 
 
 Mr. Simpson soon came to understand that the 
 owner of the Nera was in the right, and while the two 
 were hastening toward the cove to make the necessary 
 arrangements, it was decided that Mr. Simpson would 
 remain behind on Barren island.
 
 302 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 In the meanwhile Ned Bartlett was making his prep- 
 arations, with all possible speed, for the rescue. Before 
 sending the message to Barren island he inspected the 
 Hampton boat, which had been abandoned by John Ed 
 and his friends in the harbor, having drifted ashore al- 
 most directly under the bluff on which the Seaview 
 wireless station stood. 
 
 The boat was apparently uninjured. It only re- 
 mained to find some one who would accompany him as 
 helmsman, and get leave of absence from the academy, 
 after which he could get under way. 
 
 Thanks to his diligence at the tasks set him, Ned 
 was in good standing at school, and had no trouble in 
 getting cheerful permission to absent himself for sev- 
 eral days; but it was not a simple matter to find a 
 helmsman at such short notice. One could go later in 
 the day ; but the lad was so impatient to be in search of 
 his friend that he would not delay a single hour. An- 
 other was ready to lend a hand if he could get some 
 person to look after his business, and thus he found 
 all to whom he applied; none were inclined to leave 
 Seaview within an hour, and Ned said to himself as 
 he turned his face toward where the Hampton boat 
 was moored : 
 
 "I'll go alone. It won't be anything of a job to run 
 the motor and steer at the same time. Paul has done it, 
 and surely I can." 
 
 Within five minutes after arriving at this conclusion 
 he was running out of the harbor, intending to skirt 
 along the coast half a dozen miles to the southward, 
 and then, coming about, take a diagonal course to the
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 303 
 
 northward, standing back until about opposite Sea- 
 view, when he would make another tack. 
 
 Fortunately, so far as Paul and Zenas were concerned, 
 the lad did not assume that the missing ones had been 
 set ashore on the mainland. Without any good reason 
 for so believing, he had hit upon what was very nearly 
 the truth, and counted on finding them adrift in some 
 frail craft, working manfully at the oars to gain a 
 harbor. 
 
 Therefore it was that at almost the same moment 
 two boats were putting out in search of Paul and Zenas. 
 One leaving Barren island headed directly across to 
 the mainland, and the other on the course just set down. 
 
 To Paul the night had neither seemed so long nor so 
 full of discomfort as might have been supposed while 
 he and Zenas were at the mercy of the wind and waves, 
 unable to aid themselves in the slightest degree. 
 
 After the first outburst of grief, which well-nigh 
 bordered on despair, Zenas succeeded in convincing his 
 companion that their situation was by no means as des- 
 perate as it first appeared, pointing out to him that 
 the breeze, which was not sufficiently strong to en- 
 danger the safety of the dory, carried them directly 
 toward the mainland, and although the voyage might 
 be prolonged until they were beset by hunger and 
 thirst, yet, if the wind remained in the same quarter, 
 it must finally come to an end. 
 
 So far as Zenas himself was concerned, he did not 
 feel so positive they would come through their troubles 
 in safety as he strove to make it appear. He knew full 
 well what might be their fate; but it sufficed him for
 
 304 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 the time to convince Paul that they would soon be on 
 the mainland. 
 
 Later in the evening the lad, encouraged by his com- 
 panion, lay stretched out at full length in the bottom 
 of the dory, with his head on Zenas's knee, and there he 
 slept as peacefully as if he had been in the shanty, 
 lulled by the murmur of the night breeze and rocked 
 gently by the ocean swell. 
 
 The sun had risen before Paul awakened, and his first 
 thought was regarding the selfishness he displayed in 
 thus sleeping while his companion kept watch; but to 
 these self-reproaches Zenas soon put an end, by saying : 
 
 "It ain't any two to one but I've bottled up nigh as 
 much sleep as you; but even though that hadn't hap- 
 pened, it was better one should get some rest than both 
 stay awake when watchin' could avail nothing." 
 
 "Are we within sight of land yet?" and Paul looked 
 anxiously around, failing to see anything save the curl- 
 ing waves, which alternately raised the dory on high, 
 and then gently dropped her into a green valley of 
 water. 
 
 "I allow we're about half-way between Barren island 
 an' Sea view, an' unless I'm considerably out of my 
 reckonin', we've been driftin' as straight for the home 
 port as if we had steerage- way on. I ain't allowin' that 
 we'll get inter harbor very early, lad; but you can see 
 for yourself that we needn't look for any shift in the 
 wind 'twixt now an' sunset, else there'd be some token 
 of it in sky, an' all the while we'll be creepin* nearer and 
 nearer to Seaview." 
 
 "And what if it falls a dead calm?" Paul asked, his
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 305 
 
 face paling as he thus suddenly understood that they 
 might be held prisoners on that billowy surface with 
 neither food nor drink. 
 
 "We've got just as much reason, boy, to say, what 
 if a nor'easter should spring up? Here you are 
 crossin' bridges agin before you come to 'em, an' there's 
 no sense in it. It strikes me, if you really want trouble, 
 you could find it right here in this 'ere boat without 
 reachin' out inter the future. We ain't likely to have 
 any very hearty breakfast this mornin', an' later on, 
 when the sun gets high, we'll be needin' somethin' to 
 drink ; so keep your mind on them 'ere things if you've 
 got to hunt out for somethin' to make you feel badly." 
 
 "I'd like a bit of Mrs. Downs's fried fish and salt 
 pork," Paul replied, his thoughts coming down to the 
 present, as Zenas intended they should ; "but we had a 
 hearty supper last night, and should be able to go 
 without food one day without suffering very much." 
 
 "There! That's the way to talk!" Zenas cried heart- 
 ily. "Look on the bright side of things, an' figger out 
 how you can get along as we're fixed, instead of sayin' 
 that our dishes may be bottom-side up 'twixt now an' 
 this day week. I don't allow to be much of a sailor; 
 but as you know, I spent two seasons on the Banks 
 trawlin', an' in a fog storm me an' my mate got lost 
 with nothin' but a sixteen-foot dory 'twixt us an' the 
 sea. We managed to make shift four days, with about 
 two quarts of fresh water to go an' come on ; but yet I 
 lived through it to land on Barren island an' be done 
 up by sich as John Ed Bingham. Where do you 
 s'pose that bloomin' scoundrel is by this time ?"
 
 306 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 Once more Zenas had changed the current of Paul's 
 thoughts. By dint of speculating as to where the old 
 smuggler might be, and what he would attempt in the 
 future against Silver Fox Farm, he succeeded in keep- 
 ing the lad's mind fixed upon matters other than his 
 own condition at least two hours longer, when he cried 
 excitedly, rising to his feet so suddenly that the dory 
 shipped a full bucket of water from the crest of a 
 wave: 
 
 "Look, lad ! Yonder conies a power boat, an' unless 
 I am mightily out of my reckonin' she's headin' straight 
 for us. How about that for luck? Here's a fisherman 
 blunderin' along jest at the time when we want him the 
 most, an' it'll be up to us to say whether we'll keep on 
 to Sea view, or go back to Barren island." 
 
 It is needless to say that Paul was on his feet before 
 Zenas could more than call his attention to the tiny 
 speck which rose and fell on the waves far in the dis- 
 tance, and then he fell to shouting like one who has 
 suddenly taken leave of his senses. 
 
 A moment later, however, the lad, realizing that it 
 was by no means certain this stranger in the distance 
 would continue on until within hail, sank back in the 
 stern-sheets as he said mournfully: 
 
 "There isn't one chance in twenty he'll hold his 
 course until coming up to us. If we only had something 
 to wave in order to attract his attention ! He may get 
 within half a mile, and, fancying we are laying here on 
 our oars, keep on about his business." 
 
 "Crossin' more bridges, are you?" Zenas said with 
 his purring laugh, which now sounded like a gurgle of
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 307 
 
 content. "It's likely yonder fisherman is on his course, 
 and there's no good reason why he should change it 
 suddenly. As for somethin' to wave, why you've lost 
 your wits, my boy." 
 
 While speaking Zenas was pulling off his coat, and 
 now standing on the forward thwart of the dory, he 
 swung it vigorously above his head, making such a 
 show that whosoever might be in that small craft so 
 far away in the distance' must have his attention at- 
 tracted, unless peradventure he was asleep. 
 
 "I ain't given overly much to bettin', on account of 
 not bein' rich enough to give way to sich tricks; but 
 if I owned the whole of Barren island with them 'ere 
 silver foxes thrown in, I'd stake 'em all agin the small- 
 est doughnut Mrs. Downs ever fried, that inside of half 
 an hour that power boat will be near enough for us to 
 hail." 
 
 Paul made no reply, but sat in the stern-sheets 
 watching intently the oncoming craft, which seemed 
 momentarily to increase in size, as if fearing that 
 should he take his eyes from her for ever so short a 
 time, she might disappear. 
 
 During the next ten minutes Zenas alternately flour- 
 ished his coat above his head, and turned to say some- 
 thing by way of encouragement to his companion, and 
 then it was Paul who sprang up with an exclamation of 
 joy and surprise : 
 
 "That is our own boat !" he shouted. "The very one 
 that John Ed Bingham stole last night. See! The 
 white streak, and the stem rising above the rail higher 
 than you usually find in such a craft !"
 
 308 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "I declare for it, lad, I believe you're right," Zenas 
 replied after gazing earnestly at the stranger while 
 one might have counted twenty. "She does have a 
 look like your craft, an' yet we won't get to feelin' 
 too certain about it, 'cause all them Hampton boats are 
 made pretty much after the same model. Howsomever, 
 whether it's yours or somebody's else, she's comin' 
 straight for us as if we had a tow-line out, and what's 
 more, within thirty minutes we'll be headed for home 
 or Silver Fox Farm." 
 
 Another ten minutes passed, and then both Zenas and 
 Paul were standing erect, waving their hands and 
 shouting frantically, for they had recognized in the 
 occupant of the power boat none other than Ned Bart- 
 lett. 
 
 Paul's friend and partner in the wireless telegraph 
 scheme had run southward along the shore a full ten 
 miles without having seen any signs of that for which 
 he sought, and was now on a course which would 
 bring him midway between Barren island and Seaview. 
 It is not needed one should say he had sighted the dory 
 before Zenas saw him. On the lookout for something 
 of the kind, he had searched the horizon with his eyes 
 continuously, and while the helpless craft appeared to 
 be no more than a bit of floating driftwood in the dis- 
 tance, he had said to himself that his mission was the 
 same as ended. 
 
 How is it possible to describe the meeting between 
 the two lads when the Hampton boat came up, throw- 
 ing the spray either side her bow as if in very joy at 
 having thus speedily arrived at the end of her voyage,
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 309 
 
 and Zenas and Paul leaped on board of her, taking care 
 to carry with them the painter of the boat which John 
 Ed Birt^ham had abandoned in order to set them 
 adrift? During five minutes or more no attempt was 
 made to shape a course either for Barren island or 
 Seaview, for the three forgot all else save their great 
 joy in having come together once more, and danced and 
 hugged each other until, as Zenas afterward said, "it 
 was as if a lot of monkeys had got loose an' were cut- 
 tin' up didoes." 
 
 Nor was the return voyage begun even after the first 
 transports of their joy had subsided, for Ned insisted on 
 knowing all that had happened to them, demanding that 
 the story be told in detail, after which he in turn ex- 
 plained how he chanced to be in possession of the 
 Hampton boat. 
 
 "I reckon it's time we come to an end of tongue- 
 waggin'," Zenas said with his purring laugh, after 
 all these explanations had been made. "I'm allowin' 
 there's no good reason why we should drift 'round 
 here, when them as are on Barren island would like to 
 know that the castaways have been rescued. These 
 'ere stories can be told jest as well while we're under 
 way, so start up your motor, boys, an' let's get 
 alongside the Nera, where we can set down to a 
 dandy breakfast sich as that cook knows how to fix up, 
 for I'm willin' to admit I'm mighty sharkish jest 
 now." 
 
 "But what about huntin' for the old dory?" Ned 
 asked. "Whoever telegraphed from Barren island 
 said that somebody would go out in her, and if we put
 
 310 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 straight back now she'll be knocking around here all 
 day on a fool's errand." 
 
 "I reckon they can take care of themselves/' Zenas 
 replied. "You'd best finish up this 'ere rescue business, 
 Ned, an' it can only be done by landin' us at Silver Fox 
 Farm. After we've had a bite to eat an' somethin' to 
 drink, it'll be time enough to hunt for the hunters." 
 
 Therefore it was that after this delay of at least ten 
 minutes, the boat was put about on a course which 
 would bring her, as nearly as Zenas could judge with- 
 out a compass, to Barren island, and John Ed Bing- 
 ham's dory followed perforce in her wake, for it would 
 have grieved Paul not a little had he lost this souvenir 
 of his disagreeable adventure. 
 
 Never before had Barren island appeared to Paul as 
 a beautiful place. Heretofore it had seemed desolate, 
 forbidding in its loneliness ; but on this forenoon, when 
 the Hampton boat entered the cove, rounding to under 
 the lee of the Nera, it was in his mind that he had never 
 seen any spot more lovely. 
 
 As a matter of course their approach had been ob- 
 served by all on the island, and Mr. Simpson was 
 standing at the water's edge waiting to welcome his 
 son when Paul, leaping into John Ed Bingham's dory, 
 pulled hurriedly ashore to be clasped affectionately in 
 his father's arms as if his absence had been of long 
 duration. 
 
 "Did you suffer much?" Mr. Simpson asked solici- 
 tously, and Paul laughed joyously as he replied : 
 
 "Zenas wouldn't allow it, father. He appeared to 
 think only of me, without giving heed to himself, and
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 311 
 
 during all the night held my head on his knees rather 
 than awaken me by changing position." 
 
 "I wish there were more like Zenas in this world," 
 Mr. Simpson muttered, and then called upon his son 
 for the story of the misadventure, after which the two 
 went on board the Nera for the long-delayed breakfast. 
 
 As to where Mr. Sawtelle might be just then no one 
 appeared greatly concerned. It was believed that, fail- 
 ing to find Paul and Zenas at the first attempt, he 
 would put in to Seaview in order to learn if any in- 
 formation had been received there concerning them, 
 and also to hold counsel with Captain Tobi regarding 
 the steps which were to be taken toward repairing the 
 yacht. 
 
 "I believe he is there at this moment," Mr. Simpson 
 said after the matter had been under discussion a few 
 moments. "It is only natural that he would run into 
 the harbor to learn what he might about the abandon-* 
 ing of the Hampton boat, and then he'd be told that 
 Ned had started in search of you." 
 
 "Then it stands me in hand to be at the station. He 
 surely would make an attempt to get into communica- 
 tion with the island, and the proper course for me is 
 to be in readiness for wireless business." 
 
 Mr. Simpson made no protest. He had already said 
 that it was his intention to take Zenas with him into 
 the thicket, in order to learn if John Ed had succeeded 
 in doing any mischief to the foxes, and, therefore, sug- 
 gested that Ned and Paul go to the shanty immediately 
 after breakfast, leaving Gushing and himself at liberty 
 to pursue their investigations.
 
 312 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 Paul did not linger over the delayed meal as he might 
 have done under other circumstances. He had suc- 
 ceeded in persuading himself that Mr. Sawtelle would 
 attempt to get in touch with Barren island, and was 
 eager to be at his post in order to put an end to 
 further searching. 
 
 When, half an hour later, the two lads were in the 
 shanty with the apparatus ready for use, Ned said in a 
 tone of envy : 
 
 "It's mighty snug here, Paul, and the pity of it is 
 that I'm forced to remain at the Academy when I might 
 be having my share of all this excitement and adven- 
 ture." 
 
 "It strikes me that you are indeed getting your full 
 share," Paul replied with a smile. "It's true that you 
 haven't been sent adrift in an open boat without oars 
 or sail ; but you have had the biggest kind of a finger 
 in the wind-up, which ought to satisfy any ordinary 
 boy. Besides, this station wouldn't be of much service, 
 so far as silver fox farming goes, if you were not at 
 Seaview to gather such information as is needed from 
 time to time. I reckon father is thoroughly well con- 
 vinced there wasn't any money wasted in installing 
 the two stations. Through them we have saved the 
 yacht from foundering, to say nothing of the lives that 
 might have been lost if she had gone down outside. 
 Then it is positive that but for the wireless, John Ed 
 Bingham would have worked his will on this island 
 long since." 
 
 "Of course, it has been a paying speculation; but I 
 want more of it for my share."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 313 
 
 'And you'll get it next year. Do you know, Mr. 
 Sawtelle believes this island would be the very place in 
 which to make experiments in air-ships, and it may not 
 be improbable that he will come down here next sum- 
 mer." 
 
 "Air-ships!" Ned exclaimed in astonishment; but 
 before he could give words to the thoughts which 
 crowded into his mind, both he and Paul were 
 startled, even though they had been hoping to hear it, 
 when the call p-1, p-1, p-1, sounded sharply on the re- 
 ceiver. 
 
 "Mr. Sawtelle!" Paul exclaimed as he gave the an- 
 swering signal, and then the boys read the following: 
 
 "Have seen nothing of the boat. Am in Seaview 
 Who is at the instrument ?" 
 
 "It is Paul, Mr. Sawtelle. Ned came out in tfie 
 Hampton boat and picked us up. We believed you 
 would go to Seaview and try to telegraph here." 
 
 "I forgot at first that you were the only operator, 
 else I should not have made the attempt. Am glad 
 you are safe. Who is the man that was to attend to my 
 business ?" 
 
 "Captain Tobi Thompson. Look for a fat man near 
 the shipyard." 
 
 "Tell your father a schooner answering the descrip- 
 tion of the one he believed Bingham was concerned 
 with, has gone ashore on the reef five miles north of 
 here. It might be possible for him to catch the 
 poacher." 
 
 "I'll get word to him at once. He is in the woods 
 looking after the foxes. One of us boys will remain
 
 314 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 in the station all day in case you want to send any 
 word." 
 
 "I shall wait here until you have found your father," 
 came back the reply, and Paul said as he rose to his 
 feet and turned toward Ned : 
 
 "I'll go over to the woods; you stay here." 
 
 "Of course, and mighty glad of the chance." 
 
 It was not a simple matter to find the two who were 
 strolling through the thicket looking for tokens which 
 would tell that John Ed had succeeded in working mis- 
 chief; but when more than half an hour had elapsed 
 Paul came upon the searchers, both of whom looked re- 
 markably well pleased. 
 
 "So far as can be seen he didn't find the animals," 
 Mr. Simpson cried as if believing his son had come 
 for such information. "I have no question but that he 
 did his best " 
 
 "Mr. Sawtelle has just telegraphed that a schooner, 
 which may be the one we saw off here, is ashore on 
 Beekman's ledge. He says now is perhaps your time to 
 catch John Ed." 
 
 "Crickey, if that isn't luck !" Zenas cried in triumph. 
 "It seems almost too good to be true!" 
 
 Mr. Simpson made no reply until after walking rap- 
 idly in the direction of the cove a full minute, and then 
 Paul asked impatiently : 
 
 "What are you going to do about it, sir?" 
 
 "Do? Why, go to Seaview as rapidly as the Hamp- 
 ton boat will carry me; swear out a warrant against 
 Bingham for murderous assault, and take a sheriff's 
 officer to the stranded schooner."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 315 
 
 "Of course that's what's to be done, an' mighty 
 quick for fear the craft will be floated!" Zenas cried 
 excitedly. "He's always contrived to keep himself out 
 of trouble, no matter how much mischief he was con- 
 cerned in; but this time we've got him foul, if that 
 blessed schooner will only stick to the rocks." 
 
 "You are to telegraph Mr. Sawtelle, if you can get in 
 communication with him again, that I will be in Sea- 
 view within two hours," Mr. Simpson said hurriedly- 
 to his son, without giving any heed to the outburst of 
 Cushing's. "I shall take Zenas with me; you must 
 stay here to look after matters. See to it Downs and 
 his sons provide plenty of fish ; but take care that they 
 do not go into the woods. You know what should or 
 should not be done, and with Ned, as well as the crew 
 of the Nera, to help you, I expect everything here will 
 go on as well as if I remained on the island." 
 
 That Mr. Simpson was in a hurry to set off in pur- 
 suit of the old smuggler, could be told by the fact that 
 he did not linger to give more detailed instructions; 
 but hastened at his best pace toward the cove, Zenas 
 following close at his heels like a playful puppy, as 
 if his joy was so great he could not behave in a ra- 
 tional manner. 
 
 "We'll lay John Ed by the heels before you see us 
 again," he shouted to Paul by way of farewell, and 
 the lad replied grimly: 
 
 "That's what you counted on doing last night when 
 everything was working exactly as you would have 
 them." 
 
 "Don't fear that I'll make another fluke! This time
 
 316 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 I'll give John Ed credit for havin' a little bit of sense, 
 instead of playin' him for a stark, natural fool." 
 
 It would have pleased Paul if he could have gone in 
 the Hampton boat, or, at least, down to the shore to 
 witness the departure ; but his instructions were to get 
 into communication with Mr. Sawtelle, and he hastened 
 to the station, saying as he entered, where Ned was 
 seated in front of the instruments as if expecting to be 
 called : 
 
 "Try to get the owner of the Nera." 
 
 "That won't be hard work. He has just asked if you 
 had found your father," and Ned sounded n-d until it 
 was answered, after which Paul took the key and re- 
 peated the message entrusted to him. 
 
 "I will wait here till he arrives. In case we should 
 not return to-night, you lads are to use the yacht as if 
 she was yours. Brownson and Lumley will make 
 matters pleasant for you." 
 
 "What's the meaning of all that?" Ned asked curi- 
 ously after he had spelled out the dots and dashes sent 
 by Mr. Sawtelle. 
 
 "Father and Zenas are starting for Seaview in the 
 hope of catching John Ed while his schooner is hung 
 up on Beekman's ledge. You and I are to run the 
 island, and you'll have a chance to see what silver fox 
 farming is like, although there's little fear we'll live 
 as strenuous a life as I have these past few days." 
 
 "And we're to stay on board the yacht, according to 
 that message." 
 
 "Yes, and it will be a good opportunity for us to ex- 
 periment with the wireless, for you can use the ap-
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 317 
 
 paratus on board the Nera, while I hang to the old 
 stand." 
 
 While speaking Paul could see, through the window 
 of the shanty, the Hampton boat as she dashed out of 
 the cove at full speed, his father and Zenas on board, 
 and, pointing toward the little craft, he said with a 
 smile : 
 
 "We're the farmers now, and it is up to us to see that 
 the work is done properly while they are away " 
 
 He ceased speaking very suddenly, for at that instant 
 Sam Downs entered the shanty, looking perplexed and 
 at the same time irritated. 
 
 "Now what's goin' on?" he demanded sharply, as if 
 believing some wrong had been done him, and Paul 
 asked in bewilderment : 
 
 "What do you mean? What is going on?" 
 
 "That's jest what I've come up here to find out. 
 Wasn't that your father and Zenas in the big boat?" 
 
 "Of course it was." 
 
 "An' didn't the owner of the yacht go off in the old 
 dory this mornin' ?" 
 
 "Surely he did. Why are you asking such foolish 
 questions when it is possible for you to answer them 
 as well as I can ?" 
 
 "We want to know what's the meanin' of all this 
 cavortin' back an' forth?" Sam cried angrily. "Father 
 an' us boys have got some rights on this 'ere island, an' 
 we don't allow that everythin' can be turned upside 
 down while we're kept in tjie dark !"
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 SAM'S OUTBURST 
 
 PAUL was thoroughly surprised by Sam's outburst ; 
 it seemed to him as if the boy had taken advantage of 
 the first moment when the owner of Silver Fox Farm 
 was absent, to make trouble, regardless of the promises 
 which had been given by his father and his mother that 
 both he and Ernest should work for Mr. Simpson's best 
 interests. 
 
 Perhaps Paul laid to Sam's door more than the is- 
 land lad was really guilty of, for certain it is he set it 
 down in his mind that Sam had come to the shanty 
 intending to make a disturbance of some kind, simply 
 because it seemed to him that now was the time when 
 he might bully the village boys with impunity. 
 
 Because of such belief, and because it seemed to him 
 necessary he assert immediately the authority which 
 had been delegated him by his father, lest worse signs 
 of insubordination should be shown, he asked in a tone 
 of anger : 
 
 "After all that has happened since that old smug- 
 gler hailed us for a tow, do you claim either father or 
 I are bound to give you and yours any explanation of 
 our movements ? You have not yet shown yourself en- 
 titled to confidence, and it strikes me that instead of 
 claiming you have any rights on this island, it would 
 be better if you held your peace." 
 
 318
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 319 
 
 "An' give your father a chance to do whatever he 
 pleases with us, eh?" Sam demanded, much to Paul's 
 mystification, for he failed utterly to understand the 
 meaning of the words. 
 
 "Look here, Sam Downs, you and your family have 
 caused no end of trouble for my father during the 
 short time the foxes have been on this island, and now 
 if you count on raising a disturbance in the belief that 
 it can be safely done while father is away, you are 
 making a big mistake. I am in charge here, and intend 
 that matters shall go on properly. What's more, I've 
 the power to force them my way, for at the least show 
 of trouble with you I shall call upon the crew of the 
 Nera to take a hand in the matter." 
 
 "Then it's jest as Ernest allowed!" Sam cried pas- 
 sionately. "We're to be 'rested an' lugged off so's your 
 father can bring a lot of strangers here. An' I'm to 
 hold my tongue and not say a word, else I'll get laid 
 by the heels before the officers come from Seaview, 
 am I?" 
 
 "Now what are you talking about, Sam Downs?" 
 Paul cried impatiently. "What ridiculous idea have 
 you in your head about being arrested ? It was under- 
 stood between my father and yours that he and you 
 boys had turned about, faithfully promising to have no 
 more dealings with John Ed Bingham, and agreeing to 
 attend to work according to the bargain you first 
 made." 
 
 "An* that's jest what we have done !" Sam shouted, 
 seemingly in a paroxysm of rage and terror. "My 
 father told your father everything that we'd put up
 
 320 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 agin him, an' it was agreed to give us another 
 trial " 
 
 "Well, that's just what you're having; but it strikes 
 me that you can't keep to any promise very many hours. 
 Father and Zenas have hardly been away from the is- 
 land five minutes, and you are making a row for some 
 reason best known to yourself." 
 
 "Yes, an' a fine kind of a trial we've had when you 
 start off for the officers to arrest us within twenty-four 
 hours after you've agreed to let bygones be by- 
 gones !" 
 
 Paul was evidently on the point of making an angry 
 reply; but before he could speak Ned interrupted by 
 saying : 
 
 "Look here, I don't believe either of you fellows 
 know what you're talking about. Paul, why don't you 
 first find out what Sam came here for?" 
 
 "He came to make a row because father didn't ex- 
 plain to him just exactly why he set off for Seaview," 
 Paul retorted hotly, and Sam cried with a greater show 
 of anger, if indeed that could be possible : 
 
 "I came here to know why, if you was going to have 
 father, an' Ernest, an' me 'rested, we wasn't told? It 
 had been agreed that we should have another chance 
 to show we'd live up to the bargain made first ; but it 
 seems that was only a blind to keep us here quiet till 
 the sheriff came." 
 
 "Why do you think the sheriff is coming?" Ned 
 asked, stepping deliberately in front of Paul to prevent 
 hot words, and determined that these two boys should 
 each understand what the other had in mind.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 321 
 
 "Why do I believe it?" Sam screamed. "Because 
 Zenas told me so, that's why I believe it !" 
 
 "Zenas told you my father had gone for the sheriff 
 in order to arrest you ?" Paul cried in amazement. 
 
 "Ay, that's what he did. I was comin' up from the 
 shore jest as he an' your father went down at full speed, 
 an' when I asked him what was afoot, he said they 
 were goin' for the sheriff !" 
 
 "There, that explains the matter," Ned said with a 
 laugh. "You two fellows might have come to fisti- 
 cuffs if I hadn't interfered. Now is your chance, Paul, 
 to tell him how big a mistake he has made." 
 
 "Most likely Zenas told you no more than that they 
 were in a hurry to find the sheriff?" Paul said to Sam 
 inquiringly, and the latter replied, still in anger: 
 
 "Of course that's what he said." 
 
 "But he didn't tell you that it was for the purpose 
 of having your father, Ernest and yourself arrested?" 
 
 "What else could he want of a sheriff?" Sam de- 
 manded fiercely. 
 
 "To arrest John Ed Bingham." 
 
 "But John Ed Bingham got away, an' that's the 
 last you'll see of him for many a day." 
 
 "Now look here, Sam," and understanding by this 
 time the mistake the island boy had made, Paul's tem- 
 per vanished entirely. "If Zenas hadn't been in such 
 a hurry he would have told you, most likely, that we 
 just got word from Mr. Sawtelle by the wireless that 
 the schooner in which we believe John Ed to be, is 
 ashore on Beekman's ledge. If father can get a war- 
 rant out for him on the charge of a murderous assault
 
 322 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 upon Zenas, and find a sheriff's officer to serve it before 
 the schooner is floated, he will have that old smuggler 
 where there'll be no danger of his paying another visit 
 to Silver Fox Farm for a good many months." 
 
 An expression of deepest relief came over Sam's face 
 while Paul was speaking, and when the lad had come 
 to an end of his explanations the island boy cried fer- 
 vently : 
 
 "Glory be! If John Ed can be laid by the heels for 
 a spell it'll show him that he can't have things his own 
 way same's he has been doin'. An' that's the lesson 
 he's needed this many a year !" 
 
 "Do your father and Ernest believe as you did?" 
 
 "Why, of course; they're all mixed up over it. 
 Mother's cryin', an' father's sittin' in the kitchen with 
 his head in his hands like he was never goin' to speak 
 agin. I know we started in to do a mighty dirty trick ; 
 but it was 'cause we'd been scared 'bout out of our wits. 
 After it seemed as if your father had agreed to let 
 things go, it tied us all up in a knot to think he'd take 
 the law on us when we was really tryin' to do the 
 square thing." 
 
 "Go down to the house" as quickly as you can, and 
 repeat what I've said. Don't stay here to talk, for it's 
 sheer cruelty to let your people believe any longer than 
 is necessary that they are to be arrested." 
 
 Paul literally pushed the lad out of the shanty, watch- 
 ing until he had run at full speed to his home, and then 
 he said to Ned : 
 
 "I'm not certain but that you are the one to be in 
 charge here while father is away, because you've got
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 323 
 
 a good deal more sound sense than I have. If you 
 hadn't interfered, Sam and I might have come to blows 
 before we understood each other." 
 
 "The only trouble with you is that things have been 
 going so cross-grained you're on the lookout every 
 moment for trouble, and ready to find it even when it 
 doesn't exist. Once they've got hold of Bingham, and 
 Barren island has settled down into the same desolate 
 kind of a place it was when we came over here to install 
 this station, you'll be less suspicious, and more like 
 your real self. Suppose we go aboard the yacht? I 
 want to see what she looks like." 
 
 "But one of us must stay here in case Mr. Sawtelle 
 wants to send any word." 
 
 "We can use the wireless station aboard the Nera as 
 well as this one. There isn't much chance there'll be 
 any message sent for a couple of hours, because he 
 knows that your father is on the way to Seaview." 
 
 Understanding that they would not be neglecting 
 their duty, Paul was more than willing to act upon this 
 suggestion, and the two set off for the cove, not taking 
 the usual precaution to disconnect the instruments now 
 there was no longer any fear the Downs family might 
 attempt to work injury to the apparatus. 
 
 Their course lay directly past the farm-house, and 
 when they were opposite the kitchen door Mr. Downs 
 came out, bringing the boys to a halt by saying: 
 
 "I don't want you to feel any ways hurt agin Sam 
 for breakin' out as I'm allowin' he did. You see when 
 Zenas told him your father was goin' for the sheriff, 
 an' we knew John Ed had got clear of the island, it
 
 324 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 stood to reason we'd believe it was on our account the 
 officers were coming, so we felt pretty blue. Sam he 
 allers did fly off quick, so up he goes to you, an' I allow 
 he let off considerable strong." 
 
 "That's all right, Mr. Downs," Paul replied laugh- 
 ingly. "Fortunately Ned was there, and had common 
 sense enough to understand what might be in the wind, 
 while I was thinking that Sam had it in mind to make 
 a row." 
 
 "Then there's a chance John Ed may be caught, af- 
 ter all?" Mr. Downs asked eagerly. 
 
 "If father and Zenas can get a warrant in time, 
 which seems probable, it will be done, for the chances 
 are that he's on board the schooner. By the way, I was 
 to tell you to catch some fish for the foxes." 
 
 "Well, now, I don't jest see how that's goin' to be 
 done," and Mr. Downs rubbed his chin reflectively. 
 "There's the dory up in Swallow-Tailed cove, an' it's 
 pretty nigh low water. I don't reckon we could take 
 one of them dandified boats belongin' to the yacht, 
 'cause fishin' for cunners ain't no ways what you might 
 call cleanly work. How would it do to kill three or four 
 old hens, jest to kind'er stay their stomachs till night- 
 fall, an' then we can get out fishin'?" 
 
 "I don't know that father would be willing to give 
 them such an expensive diet," Paul said laughingly. 
 "It seems to me that feeding foxes on hens would be 
 cutting it pretty rich." 
 
 "Bless your soul, lad, I'd kill off the whole bloomin' 
 flock, an' do it in a way of thanksgivin', if John Ed 
 could be brought up with a round turn, so's there
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 325 
 
 wouldn't be any chance of his comin' back to Barren 
 island to make it hot for us. I'll slaughter the hens 
 all right, an' a couple of extra ones for you an' Ned, 
 if so be you're inclined to take pot luck with us." 
 
 "The orders were for us to stay on the yacht. You 
 see she's got a wireless apparatus, and by remaining 
 aboard we can hear if a call is sent out from Sea- 
 view." 
 
 "Do you reckon your father would let you know 
 if he was so lucky as to get his hands on John Ed?" 
 
 "I believe he would send word at once, or, at least, 
 as soon as he got back to Seaview." 
 
 "An' I hope he does, for it'll take a big burden off 
 my mind when I know that miserable scoundrel is 
 where he can't force other people to do his biddin'. 
 I always claimed to be an honest man, an' allow I 
 would have been till he come 'round threatenin' so 
 strong that I jest the same as lost my head. Say, it 
 seems kind'er queer that the boys an' I made so much 
 fun about your sendin' words on the air, an' here we 
 are believin' somethin' in the way of pleasant news is 
 comin' to us through that contraption yonder. After 
 this I'll be mighty careful not to turn my nose up at 
 anythin' that's told me." 
 
 Then the farmer hastened away to prepare his 
 thanksgiving meal for the foxes, and the two lads con- 
 tinued on to the cove, where they were speedily hailed 
 from the deck of the Nera by Mr. Brownson : 
 
 "Are you coming aboard, Paul?" 
 
 "Ay, sir; if you'll send a boat ashore." 
 
 "That we will, for we want to hear the news. It's
 
 326 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 almost fortunate the Nera's disabled, else she might 
 have been sent off to Seaview post haste." 
 
 The boys were taken on board the yacht, and during 
 an hour Mr. Sawtelle's two guests devoted their time 
 to escorting them over the dainty little craft, which, 
 but for the wireless apparatus installed by these two 
 visitors, might at that moment have been lying on the 
 bottom of the ocean. 
 
 It was when they came to the snug quarters just aft 
 the wheel-house, where were the instruments of the 
 wireless apparatus, that the boys were most enthusias- 
 tic in their praise, for there indeed was such an equip- 
 ment as they had desired to have, and the wonder to 
 them was that when the call of distress had been sent 
 out it should not have been heard at a greater distance 
 than Barren island. 
 
 "This makes the shanty look like a pretty poor place, 
 eh?" Ned said as he seated himself at the desk and 
 fingered the key. "I'd like nothing better than to run 
 this instrument one season." 
 
 Then, much to the surprise of both the lads, Mr. 
 Lumley said in a matter-of-fact tone : 
 
 "You will probably have the opportunity, my lad. 
 Sawtelle seems to have fallen in love with Silver Fox 
 Farm, and it'll surprise me very much if he doesn't 
 spend the greater portion of next summer in the vicin- 
 ity of Barren island." 
 
 "I'm afraid that would do me but little good," Ned 
 said wistfully, and the gentleman replied with a smile : 
 
 "Considering the fact that but for what you two boys 
 have done the Nera would not be lying snug in this
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 327 
 
 harbor waiting for a tug, I am of the opinion that her 
 owner will be only too well pleased to have you on 
 board for as long as may be to your pleasure." 
 
 Paul, on first entering the wireless operator's quar- 
 ters, had set everything in readiness for the receiving 
 of a message, knowing that by this time the Hampton 
 boat must have arrived in Seaview, and while Mr. 
 Sawtelle's guests were relating their experience of 
 wreck and of waiting almost without hope for aid, the 
 call p 1, p 1, came through the air sharp and distinct. 
 
 Ned, who yet remained at the desk, answered it, and 
 through the ether came the words : 
 
 "Warrant for Bingham's arrest issued. Simpson has 
 taken officers in motor boat to the ledge. Should return 
 within an hour. At what station are you receiving 
 this?" 
 
 "We are on the yacht," Ned replied. 
 
 "Find it better quarters than in the shanty?" 
 
 "Indeed it is. A fellow who couldn't work this ap- 
 paratus ought to give up the business." 
 
 "Yours are rather crude; but I am sending for outfits 
 to be installed here, and at the island, which will put 
 to shame the low power apparatus aboard the Nera" 
 
 Then came the good-by, showing that Mr. Sawtelle 
 had no further communication to make, and Ned and 
 Paul looked at each other wonderingly, the latter say- 
 ing after a long pause : 
 
 "Do you suppose he means that the apparatus he sent 
 for are to be used by us?" 
 
 "He does indeed," Mr. Lumley said emphatically. 
 "We were discussing the matter last night, and it was
 
 328 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 decided that since our offers to pay for the sen-ice ren- 
 dered when we were in such distress had been refused, 
 we would make at least some feeble attempt to square 
 ourselves. You are to have the best in the way of wire- 
 less that money can buy, and what is more, before Saw- 
 telle leaves Seaview he will have made a contract with 
 some carpenter to put up a station on the island in 
 which it will be a pleasure to stay." 
 
 Then Mr. Lumley showed the boys some rude 
 sketches which had been made by the owner of the 
 Nem giving an outline of how he believed the 
 wireless stations should be arranged, and they gave 
 no further heed to the passage of time, so ex- 
 cited and interested were both. The possibility that 
 they might conduct their experiments with everything 
 that could be procured by money had never even been 
 dreamed of, and now it was difficult to believe that all 
 their desires were to be gratified. 
 
 It was while they were thus engaged, giving no heed 
 to anything around them, that the shrill tooting of a 
 steam whistle caused the lads to spring up in something 
 very like alarm, and indeed they had good reason to be 
 startled, for even at Seaview it was an uncommon oc- 
 currence to hear such a sound coming over the water. 
 
 The operator's quarters opened on to a bridge, or 
 platform, which led to the deck below, and as they 
 stepped out on this narrow balcony Paul cried in sur- 
 prise mingled with alarm : 
 
 "Now what can be the matter? Whoever heard of a 
 tug-boat coming out to Barren island ?" 
 
 "She must be one Sawtelle has sent to tow this yacht
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 329 
 
 where she can be repaired," Mr. Brownson said, and 
 one might have fancied he was pleased at the oppor- 
 tunity to leave Silver Fox Farm. 
 
 "But she couldn't have got here in this short time," 
 Paul cried, seemingly determined to believe that the 
 coming of the tug-boat meant something more in the 
 way of disaster to his father's scheme, but Ned shouted 
 as he waved his hand joyously to a man who stood 
 in the door of the stranger's pilot-house : 
 
 "It's Captain Tobi ; but where could he have picked 
 up a steamer so quickly ?" 
 
 "Ahoy there !" came in a tempest note from the tug 
 as a very fleshy man went down the short flight of steps 
 leading to the deck. 
 
 "Ahoy on the tug !" Paul cried, failing to realize that 
 it was not his place to make a reply from the yacht. 
 
 "Shall we run alongside, or anchor here? Oh, it's 
 you is it? Where's your father?" 
 
 "He went over to Seaview this morning. Mr- Saw- 
 telle, the owner of the yacht, is there too looking for 
 you to see about hiring a tug." 
 
 The steamer's engine had been stopped, and she was 
 lying idly on the water when Captain Thompson an- 
 swered in what might have been called a tempestuous 
 oily tone: 
 
 "I come upon this 'ere craft by accident, so to speak, 
 an' havin' had orders in advance, as you might say, 
 closed a deal with the captain to tow the yacht over to 
 Seaview, where I'm allowin' she can be put into shape 
 as well as if he carried her further off. Better let her 
 slide up alongside of them 'ere fenders," the fleshy man
 
 330 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 added to the captain of the steamer, and an instant later 
 demanded of Paul : 
 
 "What kind of out-riggin' have you got swung 
 'round that craft?" 
 
 "It's a scheme of Zenas's, sir. He allowed the tim- 
 bers would keep her hove up so she wouldn't take so 
 much water through the shaft-box." 
 
 "I ought'er known that was one of Zenas Cushing's 
 contrivances. He's a master-hand at patchin' up, ac- 
 cordin' to his idees ; but he allers leaves things lookin' 
 ragged-like. Who are them 'ere idlers overhangin' the 
 rail?" 
 
 "The crew of the yacht, sir," Paul replied. 
 
 "Then set 'em to work haulin' Zenas's lumber out 
 so's we can come alongside to make fast. I never al- 
 lowed the crew of sich a craft as that would strain 
 themselves very hard workin'; but did reckon they'd 
 get life enough in their bodies to handle a hawser now 
 an' then." 
 
 Mr. Brownson, who appeared to be enjoying Cap- 
 tain Thompson's fault-finding, now called the mate of 
 the Nera to bear a hand, and in a twinkling the old 
 ship-master was roaring out his notes of command, 
 first to those aboard the yacht, and then to the crew of 
 the tug-boat, until it was as if every part of the island 
 reverberated with the noise. 
 
 Even though Mr. Downs and his two sons had been 
 deaf as posts, they must have heard Captain Tobi's 
 vigorous commands in not overly choice language, and 
 when Paul looked shoreward to learn if they were 
 aware of the steamer's arrival, he saw the three coming
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 331 
 
 at full speed from the spring where the foxes were to 
 be fed, and the old sea captain had not succeeded in 
 working the tug-boat alongside the Nera when Mr. 
 Downs was shouting words of welcome from the 
 shore. 
 
 "Wa'al, bless my eyes, Captain Tobi! It does do a 
 man good to see you! I never expected to hear you 
 rippin' 'round workin' a craft at anchorage agin', an' 
 now here you are at Barren island !" 
 
 "Is that you, Daniel? Jest as shiftless an' jest as lazy 
 as ever, I allow, else you'd be out here lendin' a hand 
 to clean up some of Zenas Cushing's litter." 
 
 "How do you expect a man's goin' to get out there 
 when he hasn't a boat to his name ?" 
 
 "Haven't got a boat, eh?" and Captain Thompson 
 roared until the foxes must have slinked into their holes 
 alarmed. "What kind of a man are you to be on this 
 forsaken place without a craft of some kind ?" 
 
 "Our dory is up in Swallow-Tailed cove, an' we 
 can't get her out till high water. All the rest of the 
 boats headed for Seaview this mornin', like as if a 
 county fair was goin' on there." 
 
 "They tell me Ben Simpson has gone too ?" Captain 
 Thompson roared, as if believing he could only get true 
 information of the owner of Silver Fox Farm from 
 Mr. Downs. 
 
 "Yes, he's on the track of John Ed, so they say: 
 counts on havin' him 'rested." 
 
 "Counts on 'restin' John Ed?" Captain Thompson 
 cried as if in amazement, and ceasing that instant to 
 give any attention to those who had been obeying his
 
 332 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 commands. "Does Ben Simpson allow he can handle 
 that slippery scoundrel?" 
 
 "They do say he's aboard the schooner that went 
 ashore at Beekman's ledge; but Paul can tell you all 
 about it ; he got the news on the air through that bird 
 cage that's hangin' up yonder." 
 
 Captain Tobi turned to face the two lads, as he cried 
 in a thunder note which seemingly came from the very 
 depths of his lungs : 
 
 "What's that Daniel's givin' me, lad, about John 
 Ed's schooner bein' ashore ?" 
 
 "That's what Mr. Sawtelle telegraphed, sir. Father 
 and Zenas started off in the Hampton boat at once to 
 get a warrant. About an hour ago we got word from 
 Seaview that the sheriff's officers had gone with father 
 to the ledge in the hope of finding John Ed there." 
 
 "Well, all I can say is if they do, it'll be the best job 
 I've heard of for many a day. It's a good many years 
 since I've been after that precious smuggler tryin' to 
 get pay for my Zoe that he jewed me out of, and if so 
 be your father contrives to fetch him up sharp, I'll have 
 a finger in the pie." 
 
 Then, as if suddenly realizing that the crew of the 
 yacht and the tug-boat might be wasting a moment or 
 two of time, he turned furiously upon them, command- 
 ing that they do this, or that, or the other, in almost the 
 same breath, until the men, puzzled to know what his 
 real desires were, stood staring at him like statues. 
 
 "I don't suppose you've many men in Seaview like 
 the old captain there, eh?" Mr. Brownson asked in a 
 low tone of Paul, and the lad replied laughingly :
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 333 
 
 "None who can make so much noise as he, sir." 
 
 "I should fancy not, else the more quiet portion of 
 the population would be obliged to move out of 
 town." 
 
 "Are you comin' ashore, Capt'in Tobi?" Mr. Downs 
 called after a time, during which the old ship-master 
 had succeeded in bringing the steamer alongside the 
 yacht. 
 
 "I reckon I may as well, Daniel, seein's how I don't 
 want to tow a man's craft away without his knowledge 
 an' consent, so to speak. I ain't certain but that I've 
 been a little brash in bringin' this 'ere tug-boat over be- 
 fore seein' the owner of the yacht; but she happened 
 along jest in the nick of time, as it seemed to me, an' 
 I wasn't goin' to miss sich a chance to save a dollar 
 
 or two. I reckon we'll hang up here until Mr. Mr. 
 
 what's-his-name comes back, so I may as well neighbor 
 with you for a spell, Daniel." 
 
 "I'll be glad to see you, Captain Tobi, an' so will 
 mother. Reckon I'd best kill a chicken, 'cause this is 
 kind of a thanksgiving day with me, or will be, if 
 John Ed is laid by the heels." 
 
 "Kill a chicken !" the old man roared as if in anger. 
 "What's the matter with salt pork an' fresh fish? If 
 you've got a prime little rock cod right there for your 
 wife to fry, same's she used to, I'd like to put my teeth 
 in it, for it would go a good deal better'n all the kick- 
 shaws you can set out. I never did go much on 
 chickens when the pork barrel was well filled." 
 
 It pleased the boys not a' little to see Farmer Downs 
 consulting with his sons as to how it would be possible
 
 334 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 to procure that for supper which Captain Tobi most 
 wanted, and Paul whispered to Ned : 
 
 "It wouldn't surprise me if Mr. Downs and his sons 
 tried to drag their dory across from Swallow-Tailed 
 cove to the shore, for the sake of getting fish to please 
 Captain Tobi." 
 
 The male members of the Downs family were not so 
 much inclined for such work as Paul had suggested, 
 for after consulting each other the old farmer hailed 
 the tug-boat again, and asked if they would "favor him 
 with the lend of a boat for half an hour ?" 
 
 "Got to go out an' catch your fish if you cook any 
 to-night?" Captain Thompson cried boisterously. "Of 
 course you can have a boat; I've chartered this 'ere 
 tug, an' when it comes to a case of havin' a codfish right 
 out'er the water, I'd sooner you took her, crew an' all, 
 than go without it. Hi, one of you sogers there! Pull 
 ashore for Mr. Daniel Downs ! He can set you aboard 
 agin as he goes out'er the cove." 
 
 One might have imagined from the noise which was 
 made, that Barren island had suddenly become a popu- 
 lous village. Under Captain Tobi's energetic manage- 
 ment the Downs boys were sent out fishing. The old 
 farmer bustled to and fro between the house and the 
 cove, evidently bent on overseeing his wife's prepara- 
 tions for supper, and keeping an eye on what was being ' 
 done aboard the tug and the yacht, while the crews of 
 both craft were made to jump here and there upon some 
 needless duty, seemingly for no other reason than that 
 the old ship-master might see them moving about un- 
 der his command.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 335 
 
 It was while Paul and Ned were watching with deep- 
 est interest and amusement all this bustle and seeming 
 confusion, that the instrument in the yacht's station 
 clicked off the call p-1, p-1, p-1. 
 
 When Ned had answered it he received the following 
 message from Mr. Sawtelle: 
 
 "Bingham has just been brought to Seaview under 
 arrest. He was found on the schooner. Am told 
 Captain Thompson has gone to Barren island. Have 
 you heard from him?" 
 
 "He is here with a tug awaiting your arrival," Ned 
 replied, and then as he got the signal that no further 
 communication was to be made, he ran to the bow of 
 the yacht, shouting to Mr. Downs, who was half-way 
 between the shore and his home : 
 
 "The sheriff has got John Ed!" 
 
 "Glory be !" the old man shouted again and again, and 
 then turned suddenly and ran with all speed to impart 
 the welcome intelligence to "mother."
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 
 PLANS FOR THE FUTURE 
 
 THE information which had come from Seaview 
 aroused the greatest excitement on the island, and from 
 various causes. 
 
 Mr. Sawtelle's guests, who had come to believe they 
 must remain at Silver Fox Farm, because of what Paul 
 and Zenas had done toward saving the yacht, until Mr. 
 Simpson had finally beaten off the poachers, could now 
 return to their homes. Mr. Downs and his family were 
 rejoicing in the belief that John Ed would not soon be 
 at liberty to do them an injury in revenge for their 
 turning against him. While Paul and Ned were jubi- 
 lant because now it seemed as if the foxes would remain 
 undisturbed for so long a time that the business of 
 farming for pelts would get a healthy start. 
 
 Captain Tobi was by no means the least excited of all 
 those on Barren island. He believed that now had come 
 the time when he could force the old smuggler to pay 
 the amount so long due on the purchase of the Zoe, 
 and, as Zenas often said, "a dollar laid mighty near 
 Capt'in Tobi's heart." 
 
 Even the crew of the yacht joined in the general re- 
 joicings because it appeared as if John Ed's career was 
 likely to be cut short, although they knew nothing what- 
 soever regarding the man, and were not interested in 
 silver fox farming. The fact that their employer was 
 
 336
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION 337 
 
 in some slight degree concerned, was sufficient to ex- 
 cite them. 
 
 Captain Tobi no longer fumed and fretted because 
 the sailors on the tug and the yacht did not move in as 
 lively a manner as he believed they should ; but ceased 
 work entirely to go on shore where, until a regular 
 feast of fried salt pork and codfish had been prepared 
 by Mrs. Downs, he listened to the old farmer's story 
 of what John Ed had tried to do on Barren island. 
 
 On board the Nera Paul and Ned, urged by Mr. 
 Lumley and Mr. Brownson, lingered long at the table 
 that night, telling of their efforts to install the wireless 
 stations when their desires were far in excess of their 
 funds, and the meal had not yet come to an end when 
 the sound as of some craft chafing against the Nera's 
 hull, caused them to spring to their feet in delight, at 
 the very moment Zenas was heard hailing : 
 
 "Ahoy on the yacht ! Is this the way you receive con- 
 querin' heroes?" 
 
 When Paul gained the deck of the Nera he saw the 
 Hampton boat lying alongside, while made fast astern, 
 as if she had been towed across from Seaview, was the 
 old power dory. All those who had departed from 
 the island in the morning were clambering over the 
 rail of the yacht, and Mr. Sawtelle and Mr. Simpson 
 were questioning the master of the tug-boat as to what 
 Captain Tobi's plans might be. 
 
 As was only natural, Zenas had singled out the boys 
 as his audience, for he was nearly bursting with desire 
 to tell the story of John Ed's capture, and Paul grati- 
 fied him by asking:
 
 338 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 "Did he make much of a fuss when the sheriff ar- 
 rested him?" 
 
 "John Ed is too wise a guy to do anythin' of that 
 kind. He gave himself up as if the one thing he ached 
 for was the jail, an' had the nerve to stand up to your 
 father an' swear he'd never stepped foot on Barren is- 
 land since the foxes were let loose." 
 
 "What about his towing us out from the island and 
 setting the boat adrift?" Paul asked angrily. 
 
 "The old fox hadn't seen me when he began to stuff 
 your father with the story that he didn't even know 
 where Barren island was; but when I stepped out an' 
 asked if he didn't want the dory he'd left with us, he 
 shut his mouth like a clam." 
 
 "Did you have any trouble in getting a warrant for 
 his arrest?" 
 
 "Not a bit. Mr. Sawtelle an' say, lads, that man is 
 sure a dandy he'd been to see a lawyer, an' could tell 
 him all 'bout what John Ed had done, so when we 
 struck the town everythin' was ready for us to go be- 
 fore the judge. It didn't take five minutes to get the 
 thing done ship-shape an' bundle the sheriff's men 
 aboard the Hampton boat. When we got to Beekman's 
 ledge there was the schooner hard an' fast, an' there 
 John Ed was caught like a rat in a trap, for after leavin' 
 his dory for us to starve in, an' settin' your craft adrift, 
 there wasn't any way for him to get ashore, except by 
 swimmin', an' it's what you might call a reasonably 
 long stretch to the mainland from the rocks. We ran 
 alongside an' went over the rail without hearin' a yip 
 from anybody/ 1
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 339 
 
 "Did John Ed stand in plain sight while you were 
 coming up to the schooner?" Paul asked curiously. 
 
 "He hadn't tumbled to who we were till it was too 
 late to dodge inter the hold. Oh, John Ed's nobody's 
 fool, an' when he saw the jig was up he made the best 
 of it. I had swore that he knocked me silly on the 
 night he sneaked out of the farm-house, an' when one 
 of the officers told him 'bout it, he looked at me mighty 
 wicked, but had the good sense to hold his tongue." 
 
 "Then you carried him to Seaview ?" Ned suggested 
 when Zenas ceased speaking as if his story was told. 
 
 "Yes, the officers had him fast, an' he never so much 
 as turned a hair from the time we left the stranded 
 schooner till he went ashore on his way to the jail. Un- 
 less 'he can find somebody who'll go bail, which ain't 
 in any way likely after all the mischief he's done on 
 this 'ere coast, he'll stay in prison till his trial comes 
 off, somewhere 'bout October. Then, unless things go 
 mighty queer, he's sure of free lodgin's for a consid- 
 erable spell of time. What about the Downs family?" 
 
 Paul gave him a detailed account of all that had hap- 
 pened since he and Mr. Simpson got under way for 
 Seaview, and the story was hardly more than finished 
 when Captain Tobi came aboard the yacht to tell Mr. 
 Sawtelle what he proposed to do with the Nera. 
 
 The old ship-master employed a quantity of words 
 in the telling of what was a short tale. He explained 
 with many a hurricane note that he had hired the cap- 
 tain of the tug-boat to tow the yacht to Seaview at a 
 greatly reduced price, owing to his having happened to 
 be in that vicinity, and covered two or three sheets of
 
 340 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 paper with figures to show how greatly it would be to 
 Mr. Sawtelle's pecuniary advantage if the Nera was 
 repaired in the shipyard of which he was part owner. 
 
 A lengthy discussion ensued, during which Zenas 
 whispered to the boys that he would be glad to go to the 
 shanty, where they could be alone. 
 
 "It's a mighty fine place, is this 'ere cabin ; but some- 
 how I'll feel more like myself if we can crawl off where 
 we belong. Besides, there's nothin' for us to do here, 
 an' I'd like to hear what Daniel an' his precious sons 
 have to say 'bout John Ed's arrest an' the work that 
 has been done by your wireless contraption." 
 
 No particular heed was paid to the three when they 
 stole softly on deck, clambered aboard the Nera's 
 tender, and pulled ashore, where, within less than two 
 minutes after they landed, Mr. Downs, followed by 
 Sam and Ernest, came hurriedly out of the house. 
 
 "So you've really bottled John Ed up?" the farmer 
 cried in apparent delight as he seized Zenas by the 
 hand, shaking it violently. 
 
 "That's what we've done, an' it'll be a long spell, 
 'cordin' to my way of thinkin', before anybody else will 
 dare to meddle with the foxes," Zenas cried triumph- 
 antly. 
 
 "It has taken the biggest kind of a load off the 
 shoulders of my family, to say nothin' of myself," Mr. 
 Downs added in a tone of thankfulness. "You know, 
 Zenas, that when John Ed has had a grudge agin any- 
 body in this part of the country, he's allers contrived 
 to pay it without gettin' himself inter a scrape. If I 
 hadn't been so mortally afraid of the old scoundrel I'd
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 341 
 
 never tried to turn Mr. Simpson up the way I did ; but 
 he had me where I didn't dare to say my soul, was my 
 own." 
 
 "An' he'd be cavortin' 'round the country this blessed 
 minute, ready for any kind of mischief he could lay 
 his hand to, if it hadn't been for that wireless contrap- 
 tion the boys set up," Zenas suggested with a grin. 
 
 "I know it, I know it! An' it only shows what an 
 old fool I've been. I might'er known Mr. Simpson 
 wouldn't have put good money out on sich a lot of truck 
 if there hadn't been somethin' in it. Neither the boys 
 nor I could figger out how anybody'd be able to send 
 words on nothin' but air, an' we haven't got it through 
 our thick heads yet, when it comes to that. It's a big 
 thing, though, 'specially for fox farmin', an' to think 
 that a couple of lads like them two did it all !" 
 
 "I'm allowin' the business will go along all right 
 from this out," Zenas suggested, "an' there won't be 
 much need of my stayin' on Barren island any longer." 
 
 "We'll hope you'll be here a long spell yet, 'cause I 
 want you, an' all them who have seen how I let John 
 Ed lead me 'round by the nose, to have an eye out on 
 the way I'll live up to my end of the bargain." 
 
 Paul was not disposed to listen longer to Mr. Downs's 
 words of repentance. He believed that the farmer and 
 his sons, now they no longer had anything to fear from 
 the old smuggler, would do their full duty ; but it was 
 not pleasant to have them "eat humble pie," as Zenas 
 put it, to such an extent, v 
 
 Therefore the Downs family were soon left behind 
 as the lads and Zenas hurried on to the shanty, where,
 
 342 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 fit 
 
 after he had arrived, Zenas at once set about filling his 
 pipe, saying as he lighted it and stretched out at full 
 length on the bed : 
 
 "Now I can take a little bit of comfort." 
 
 "Have you been working so terribly hard to-day?" 
 Ned asked with a smile. 
 
 "It ain't the workin' part of it that has troubled me ; 
 but you see I never did mix any with swells, an' I al- 
 low that's jest what Mr. Sawtelle is, 'cause he must 
 have a pile of money, an' it keeps me all haired up for 
 fear I'll make a fool of myself in some way. Here I 
 can do whatever I please, without thinkin' folks are 
 watchin' out as if I was a wild animal what might 
 turn rusty or kick up a bobbery any minute." 
 
 Before Zenas had finished his smoke Paul and Ned, 
 without going through the formality of undressing, 
 were sleeping soundly on the narrow bed, nor did they 
 awaken until the sun had risen next morning, when 
 Mr. Sawtelle looked in at the door with a cheery sum- 
 mons for them to "turn out." 
 
 "Breakfast aboard the yacht will be ready in half 
 an hour, and you lads must be at the table, for the Nera 
 leaves port as soon as the meal is at an end. We want 
 all hands present at what is much the same as a leave- 
 taking." 
 
 "Then you are going away immediately !" Paul cried 
 with a note of regret in his tones. "Of course I knew 
 Captain Tobi would want to get under way at once; 
 but I hoped you might contrive to stay a day or two 
 longer. I wish he hadn't run across that tug-boat quite 
 so soon."
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 343 
 
 "Then you d really be sorry not to see me again ?" 
 Mr. Sawtelle asked with an odd inflection of the 
 voice. 
 
 "Indeed I would, more particularly since Ned and I 
 have been counting on your telling us all you know 
 about wireless telegraphing. We don't understand 
 more than the rudiments, and need some one as a 
 teacher who has had experience." 
 
 "I'm afraid it would be a case of the blind leading 
 the blind if I should set myself up as a teacher," the 
 gentleman replied, laughing heartily at the idea. "But 
 you haven't seen the last of me by considerable, as my 
 friend Zenas would say. I am bound to stay in this 
 vicinity until we have increased the power of both 
 your stations, and built near here a house that will be a 
 pleasant place for the operators to live in. Mr. Lum- 
 ley and Mr. Brownson will go back to New York im- 
 mediately we arrive at Seaview; but I shall stay with 
 the Nera between here and the mainland longer, per- 
 haps, than you fancy." 
 
 "What do you mean?" Paul asked, puzzled by the 
 expression on Mr. Sawtelle's face, and the tone in 
 which he spoke. 
 
 "I have bought half an interest in Silver Fox Farm. 
 Your father is to go with me this morning to have 
 the partnership papers made, and also to purchase 
 Barren island outright." 
 
 "You going into the business of raising silver 
 foxes?" Ned cried incredulously. 
 
 "That is the fact, lad. To my mind it is a most in- 
 teresting experiment; but perhaps I would not have
 
 344 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 been so eager to have a share in it but f of another plan 
 which has been long in my head. This island, so far 
 from the mainland that curious people cannot con- 
 veniently get here, will be just the place in which to 
 build an air-ship such as Mr. Brownson believes he has 
 invented, and by becoming part owner of the island I 
 can carry out his ideas without fear of interruption 
 from outsiders." 
 
 "An air-ship !" Paul exclaimed with a long indrawing 
 of the breath. "But of course you can't make one that 
 may really be sailed through the air !" 
 
 "Why not? It has already been done many times 
 over " 
 
 "But they can't be made to go where you please. 
 They will never be more than a sort of balloon." 
 
 "When you came here to install this station, Mr. 
 Downs was positive you could not send a message 
 through the air without connecting wires, and you be- 
 lieved him to be foolish, because you had good proof 
 that it was practicable. Now I have seen air-ships that 
 could be navigated, notably the German craft, and, 
 therefore, your incredulity as to the possibility is as 
 unwarranted as was the farmer's regarding the wireless. 
 At all events, before another year has passed, I predict 
 that we will have something which can be handled in the 
 air but it is time for us to go to breakfast. We shall 
 have ample opportunity to discuss the matter, for I 
 intend to remain here during this summer, and, per- 
 haps, spend the winter helping guard the foxes." 
 
 Then Mr. Sawtelle led the way to the cove, the 
 boys following a long distance in the rear so that they
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 345 
 
 could privately talk over the wonderful proposi- 
 tion. 
 
 It is really time that this story should be brought to 
 a close, for Silver Fox Farm has much the same as 
 passed the experimental stage, and can almost be said 
 to be a success. As a matter of fact, it was anything 
 rather than a failure, as was shown during the fol- 
 lowing winter, when Paul and Ned both saw very 
 many little foxes playing in the snow as happy and 
 contented as if there was no other place in all the 
 world than Barren island. 
 
 To look ahead only a few months, it can be said that 
 Mr. Downs and his boys were never tempted again to 
 be false to their employer. They soon came to under- 
 stand that more money could be made by them honestly, 
 by strictly attending to duty, than if they turned 
 poachers with the possibility of coming within reach of 
 the law's strong arm. 
 
 It should also be set down that John Ed Bingham 
 was found guilty of a murderous assault on Zenas 
 Gushing, and sentenced to a term of two years in 
 prison. It was well for Farmer Downs that neither he 
 nor his sons were in the court-room at the time all this 
 was done, for the old smuggler then and there swore 
 vengeance against them, as if believing they alone were 
 responsible for his capture. 
 
 No, Captain Tobi did not get the money due him 
 from John Ed on the purchase of the Zoe. Bingham 
 laughed at the old ship-master when he suggested that 
 the debt be paid, and advised in mild irony that the
 
 346 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 captain should spend his spare time at the prison wait- 
 ing for it. 
 
 As to the air-ship venture, that tale must be told at 
 another time, for it is even a longer story than this has 
 been; but before many months had passed after Mr. 
 Sawtelle became a partner in Silver Fox Farm, both 
 Paul and Ned came to understand how hasty they had 
 been in declaring that it would be impossible to navi- 
 gate the air, and then they were much better informed 
 as to such matters. 
 
 And now in coming to the end, we will go back to 
 that breakfast on board the Nera before she was towed 
 to Seaview to be repaired, with Captain Tobi acting as 
 master of ceremonies. 
 
 It surely seemed as if the yacht's cook had exerted 
 himself to make of this last meal aboard the disabled 
 craft a regular feast, for the breakfast was more like 
 a dinner, and those who partook of it would have 
 lingered long at the table but for the continued and 
 noisy warnings of Captain Tobi from the deck that it 
 was time to be under way. 
 
 During the meal plans were laid for the future. 
 Mr. Sawtelle described the kind of a building he 
 proposed to put up as a wireless station and at the 
 same time a home for the managers of the farm. Mr. 
 Brownson explained his plans for an air-ship, declaring 
 positively he could and would build one which might 
 be handled as readily as was the Hampton boat, at the 
 same time stating that it was his intention to spend the 
 following summer on Barren island for the purpose of 
 superintending the work.
 
 AT SILVER FOX FARM 347 
 
 "By then your fox farm will be so far advanced that 
 you need not spend very much time running it," he 
 said, addressing Mr. Simpson. "The wireless will 
 have ceased to be a novelty, and you'll wonder how you 
 ever contrived to transact business without it. The two 
 lads here shall be my lieutenants in the air-ship building, 
 and Zenas can act as general superintendent. We will 
 spend a pleasant summer, and, what is more, show 
 that men can fly as well as walk." 
 
 "In other words," Mr. Sawtelle added laughingly, 
 "Barren island will have become a perfect paradise for 
 inventors and experimenters, and it will surprise me if 
 from it does not spring that which will astonish the 
 nations of the earth." 
 
 "There'll be somethin' sprung aboard this 'ere yacht 
 that'll astonish them as are on board, if much more 
 time is spent in tongue-waggin' when we should be un- 
 der way, if we count on makin' Seaview before yonder 
 clouds let out the wind that's inside 'em!" Captain 
 Tobi roared down the companion-way. "I allow that 
 I'm to be held responsible for gettin' the Nera inter 
 port, an', that bein' the case, my orders are for sich of 
 you idlers as are goin' ashore to make a move. The 
 others can keep on gabblin', an' then they won't be in 
 my way on deck." 
 
 Since Paul, Ned and Zenas were the "idlers" re- 
 ferred to by the angry captain, they made haste to go 
 over the rail into Mr. Downs's dory, which had been 
 brought around from the cove. No sooner was the 
 boat's painter cast off than Captain Tobi gave the mas- 
 ter of the tug orders to "move lively before there
 
 348 THE WIRELESS STATION 
 
 was a chance for other tongue-waggers to comt 
 aboard." 
 
 The boys and Zenas watched the departure of the 
 dainty little craft which had been saved from founder- 
 ing by the wireless and the Hampton boat, and wherr 
 she went limping out of the cove, like a lame man 
 leaning on the shoulder of a friend, Ned said with a 
 long indrawing of the breath : 
 
 "Only think, Paul, that if we hadn't 'played,' as fa- 
 ther called it, with wireless telegraphy, that yacht, with 
 her owner, his friends, and crew, would be at the bot- 
 tom of the ocean ! We surely have done some good in 
 this world, even though I did fail to pass my exam, 
 last spring !"
 
 THE "SILVER FOX FARM" SERIES 
 
 BY JAMES OTIS 
 
 THE WIRELESS STATION AT SILVER FOX FARM. 
 
 Illustrated by Charles Copeland. 8vo. 
 
 A bright, vividly written narrative of the adventures of 
 Paul Simpson and Ned Bartlett in helping the former's father 
 start a farm for raising silver foxes on Barren Island, twelve 
 miles off the Maine coast. 
 
 THE AEROPLANE AT SILVER FOX FARM. ,. 
 
 Illustrated by Charles Copeland. 8vo. 
 
 An absorbing story of the building and 'working of an aero- 
 plane on Barren Island. 
 
 BUILDING AN AIRSHIP AT SILVER FOX FARM. 
 
 Illustrated by Charles Copeland. 8vo. 
 
 Encouraged by their success in aeroplane-building, the boys 
 of Silver Fox Farm go in for a full-fledged airship. 
 
 AIRSHIP CRUISING FROM SILVER FOX FARM. 
 
 Illustrated by Charles Copeland. 8vo. 
 
 A further account of the marvels performed by the Silver 
 Fox Farmers, including the story of the thrilling rescue of a 
 shipwrecked yachting party by means of their great air-cruiser. 
 
 BOY SCOUT BOOKS 
 BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS. 
 BOY SCOUTS IN A LUMBER CAMP. 
 
 12mo t illustrated. Each, 75 cents. 
 
 OTHER BOOKS BY JAMES OTIS 
 FOUND BY THE CIRCUS. 
 
 12mo, illustrated. 75 cents net. 
 
 Joel Harford Joey at the Fair Two Stowaways 
 
 12mo, illustrated. Each, 75 cents postpaid. 
 
 A Short Cruise How the Twins Captured a Hessian 
 
 Aunt Hannah and Seth How Tommy Saved the Barn 
 
 Dick In the Desert Onr Uncle the Major 
 
 Christmas at Deacon The Wreck of the Circus 
 Hackett's 
 
 8vo, illustrated. Each, 50 cents postpaid. 
 
 Dorothy's Spy 
 
 12mo, illustrated. 50 cents. 
 
 THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY 
 NEW YORK.
 
 CROWELL'S SCOUT BOOKS 
 
 By JAMES OTIS 
 BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS 
 
 Realistic adventures in guarding a great tract of tim- 
 ber during one summer. Illustrated by Charles Copeland. 
 
 BOY SCOUTS IN A LUMBER CAMP 
 
 How two patrols carried through to success a big lum- 
 bering contract. Illustrated by Charles Copeland. 
 
 By PERCY K. FITZHUGH 
 ALONG THE MOHAWK TRAIL; 
 
 OR, BOY SCOUTS ON LAKE CHAMPLAIW 
 
 The lively doings of real Boy Scouts among historic 
 scenes. Illustrated by Remington Schuyler. 
 
 FOR UNCLE SAM, BOSS; 
 
 OR, BOY SCOUTS AT PANAMA 
 
 A rousing story, telling how the boys of "Along the 
 Mohawk Trail" render important services to the United 
 States in connection with the great Canal. 4 illustrations. 
 
 IN THE PATH OF LA SALLE; 
 
 OR, BOY SCOUTS ON THE MISSISSIPPI 
 
 The interesting experiences of the main characters in 
 "For Uncle Sam, Boss," while boating down the Father of 
 Waters. Their varied adventures finally carry them as 
 far as Mexico. Illustrated by Fisk. 
 
 By EDWIN L. SABIN 
 PLUCK ON THE LONG TRAIL; 
 
 OR, BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES 
 
 A stirring narrative of packing, trailing, and camping 
 in the West. Illustrated by Clarence Rowe. 
 
 Each Volume, 12mo, cloth, 75 cents. 
 
 A fine series of wholesome, realistic, and entertaining 
 stories for boys by juvenile writers of recognized stand- 
 ing, who have a thorough knowledge of Boy Scouts a.nd 
 of real scouting in the sections of the country in which 
 the scenes of their books are laid. 
 
 THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY 
 NEW YORK
 
 THE BAR B SERIES 
 
 By EDWIN L. SABIN 
 BAR B BOYS; 
 
 OR, THE YOUNG COW-PUNCHERS 
 
 A picturesque story of Western ranch life. Illustrated 
 by Charles Copeland. 
 
 RANGE AND TRAIL 
 
 I trail from 
 y Clarence 
 
 The Bar B Boys in winter and on the Ion 
 New Mexico to the home ranch. Illustrated 
 Rowe. 
 
 CIRCLE K; 
 
 OR, FIGHTING FOR THE FLOCK 
 
 The ranchmen are here engaged in the sheep .industry, 
 and the story has the same real Western flavor. Illus- 
 trated by Clarence Rowe. 
 
 OLD FOUR-TOES; 
 
 OR, HUNTERS OF THE PEAKS 
 
 The two boys, Phil and Chet, Grizzly Dan and others, 
 figure in this fascinating account of hunting, trapping, 
 and Indian encounters. Illustrated by Clarence Rowe. 
 
 TREASURE MOUNTAIN; 
 
 OR, THE TOUNG PROSPECTORS 
 
 Tells of the locating of an old gold mine near the top 
 of a mountain peak. One of the liveliest books in the 
 series. Illustrated by Clarence Rowe. 
 
 SCARF ACE RANCH; 
 
 OR, THE YOUNG HOMESTEADERS 
 
 Two young heroes here take up some government land 
 and engage most successfully in cattle raising on their 
 own account. Illustrated by Clarence Rowe. 
 Eacb Volume 8vo, cloth, 75 cents. 
 
 Also by MR. SABIN 
 PLUCK ON THE LONG TRAIL; 
 
 OR, BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES 
 
 A stirring narrative of packing, trailing, and camping 
 in the West. Illustrated by Clarence Rowe. 12mo, cloth. 
 
 BEAUFORT CHUMS 
 
 Tells of the adventures of two boys, a boat and a dog 
 on the Mississippi. Every boy will read it eagerly. Illus- 
 trated by Charles Copeland. 12mo 50-75 
 
 THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY 
 
 NEW YORK
 
 ..".CS.9.Y 1 REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
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